News

On March 11 Social Platform spoke at the European Economic and Social Committee’s Permanent Study Group on Immigration and Integration meeting on the Common Basic Principles on Immigrant Integration Policy. Barbara Helfferich, member of the Platform’s Management Committee made an intervention on the basis of our position on migration pointing out that the principles are still relevant 10 years later but must be put in practice. Her main points were:

EU migration and integration policies should be based on a human rights approach and also recognise migrants social rights

• Considering the political climate anti-immigration discourses and growing xenophobia and racism human rights needs to be repeated. Migrants should not been seen only as economic units and as ‘solutions’ to Europe’s problems. Just because third country nationals are born outside the EU, they should not be treated as second class citizens but be recognised and respected as rights holders.
• In light of the effects of the economic crisis and the fact that one out of ten people at risk of poverty and social exclusion have a migrant background we need to combat and prevent discrimination, racism, administrative barriers, poverty and social exclusion; which hinder migrants from accessing the labour market, housing, education, health and other essential goods and social services; as well as resources enabling them to lead dignified lives. This is not only about migrant’s rights but also about e.g. service providers rights to provide their services to all, irrespective of their clients/customers residence status, without risking penalties and criminalisation due to their solidarity actions.

Migrant integration must be mainstreamed into the EU’s regular policy priorities: Immigrants play a significant role for Europe in reaching its overall targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy

• Closing the gap between immigrants and non-immigrants could account for around 10% of the Europe 2020 targets across EU member states. Closing the gap in employment would account for 10,7%, closing the gap for migrant early school leaving would account for 30% and 3.3 million immigrants could be lifted out of poverty or social exclusion bringing the whole of the EU 16.3% closer to reaching its target (report on immigrant integration).
• Member states report selectively on indicators and on migrant integration to the EU and social inclusion is the area the least. In the 2013 Country-specific Recommendations (CSRs) migration was only mentioned six times. Member states also tended to be unclear in their definition of who is a migrant and lumped together migrants with ‘other vulnerable groups’ (such as women, young people). If we don’t start with includign migration integration into the CSRs – where do we start?

Sergio Carrera, Centre for European Policy Studies illustrated the main achievements since the Common Basic Principles in 2004, such as EU integration fund, European Integration Forum that e.g. enabled a dialogue which hindered the reopening of the Family reunification that would risk drawbacks. Since the Lisbon Treaty in 2010 much hasn’t happened, instead we have moved towards more ‘security and return’ supported by the economic crisis and conservative voices. Member states populist policies affect the whole EU. Pre-departure measures, i.e. ‘integration conditions’ in terms of knowledge about the country and language skills may in itself lead to discrimination. In light of reviewing the CBP the EU has to ask itself which governance it should support.

Doris Peschke, Churches Commissions for Migrants in Europe spoke about the trends due to the economic crisis towards cuts in funds for services, language courses and for civil society. The principles should be complemented with one more about vulnerable persons such as refuges and minors and how they should be accommodated in communities that have potential and are strong (middle-income) to not further segregation and marginalisation of migrants.

Diana Schmitt, Head of Unit on Immigration and Integration presented in short the Commission’s communication on the future of home affairs ‘An open and secure Europe’, she highlighted among others that synergies with other policies needs to be strengthened (e.g. with development and employment), skills shortages needs to be better identified by setting up an EU platform involving all stakeholders (business, trade unions etc.). Further a consolidated framework for EU legal migration to also identify gaps and to enable EU mobility. Effective integration policy is about strengthen commitment in labour market, pre-departure measures, recognition of qualifications and portability of pension and social rights. When it comes to irregular migration we need to see the whole picture, prevent and reduce irregular migration and work with countries of origin. The Commission will soon publish their communication on EU return policy and in May their implementation report will be out on the Sanction and Blue card Directive.

2014-03-13