Voices from our side event on ‘Escaping the migration poverty trap’

 On November 26 Social Platform had a well attended side event on ‘Escaping the migration poverty trap’ at the European Platform Against Poverty Convention.

'Migrants enrich our societies but face many obstacles including in accessing the labour market, education and social services and essential goods' – Ms Brigitte Triems (Member of Social Platform’s Management Board)

Ms Triems opened the event by explaining Social Platform's aim to raise awareness about migrants’ situation in Europe, their over representation in poverty, and recent policy developments, both at EU and national levels. Integrating a migrant sensitive approach to anti-poverty and social inclusion policies and strategies is a crucial step – and added value – in reaching an inclusive society for all.  Some of the barriers migrants face were highlighted during our event.

From the left: Lara Natale, Anna Zobnina, Brigitte Triems, Mauro Striano, Tanya Zhyla and Michele LeVoy

Access to Employment

 ‘There isn’t one migrant experience but many’ – Ms Anna Zobnina (migrant woman from Russia, living in Cyprus)

Migrant women make up 5% of the population in Cyprus. A majority of this group is trapped in domestic work. Migrant women have little access to other sectors and no mobility within the sector either (despite many residing long enough to receive EU long term residency). Ms Zobnina recounted how she herself faced both many stereotypes as a Russian woman in Cyprus, as well as obstacles in the form of racial and gender prejudices and linked to residence and work permit.

Racism is present everywhere. When addressing migration, especially female migrants, we should not lose sight of internal structural causes, such as gendered stratification of domestic labour and care economy at large, i.e.  we cannot speak about migration before we take gender problems seriously.

‘The EU cannot afford to waste the talent of migrants, and, in particular, those of migrant women  – this is not only a loss for individuals, but also one for society as a whole.’ – Ms Lara Natale (European Network of Migrant Women)

Ms Natale works for the European Network of Migrant Women, an umbrella which provides a feminist authentic voice for migrant women in Europe. The group tries to combat overgeneralization and victimization of migrant women by promoting empowerment.

The network focuses in particular on access to employment, tackling precarious work, entrepreneurship, qualification recognition as well as deskilling prevention. Deskilling refers to an inability to use the qualification migrants have acquired in their home country. The obstacles faced by migrants on this front range from legal barriers (e.g. visas, residence permits) to regulatory hurdles (recognition of qualifications) and gender and discrimination as such. Entering the labour market in an new country is difficult in the first place, and if they succeed at all, migrant women tend to end up employed in sectors below their skill level.

European Network of Migrant Women has also been consulted in the drafting of Social Platform’s recommendations and among them we say that the Europe 2020 Strategy employment target also has to improve the access for migrants. Other issues we raise is dependency linked to the residence permit of the spouse, the residence permit linked to the work permit and the barriers in themselves leading to lack of confidence in one’s own potentials.

Even if the domestic sector was not as affected by the crisis as the construction/building sector – domestic work is still often precarious.  It is important that starting a business should be a choice and not a last resort. It also requires a high level of risk, skills and commitment.

Access to Education

A video clip by PICUM’s ‘Undocumentary’ – the reality of undocumented migrants in Europe was shown of undocumented children’s access to school and housing.

‘There are 4 million undocumented migrants in Europe and children are a part of them.’  – Ms Michele LeVoy (Director of PICUM)

There is no legislation forbidding compulsory education but only three Member States explicitly mention it. The situation is difficult due to fear and obstacles such as being unable to enroll because the education only accept if you have ID-documents, you cannot get a diploma or you are not eligible for scholarship for supplies and books. It is hard for undocumented parents to access pre-school and for children above 16 years old they sometimes cannot access internships as a part of their education.

Education is a way out of poverty and links to many other rights. Social Platform’s position includes the prohibition to report children building on guidelines by the Fundamental Rights Agency, the promotion of good practices and the need to work across different DGs in the Commission. The Commission’s recent recommendations on Investing in Children do include a reference to undocumented children’s rights to access health care which is a positive development.

Other issues are also – how to go to school while living in a detention center? Sometimes ‘the best interest of the child’ is wrongly interpreted. It is also interesting to look at how migrants overcome the barriers they experience and how they become empowered, one way is through NGOs and other organisations representing migrants.

Access to Services

Ms Tanya Zhyla from Crossroads Gothenborg, Sweden shared their good national practice/project working on access to services for migrants in relation to homelessness – download Ms Zhyla's Power Point Presentation.

‘Migrants working as carers’ do not only lose their job when the person they care for dies but they also might lose their home.’ – (Mauro Striano, FEANTSA)

The majority of rough sleepers are migrants. Immigrants are vulnerable to homelessness which links to residence status, access to employment and education. Homeless migrants in some Member States do not have access to shelters. Among Social Platform recommendations we raise the need of support to migrants in destitution. The abolishment of criminalization of social assistance and service provides, the recognition of emergency accommodation and the respect of anti-discrimination legislation.

 

Read more about Social Platform's work on migration

2013-11-28