Strategic thinking on equality and mobility

1. Strategic thinking on equality and mobility MIPEX: policy indicators and a joined-up approach to policy evaluation in Europe • 27 February 2008 • Prague Presentation by Thomas HUDDLESTON Removing legal barriers to the labour market integration of legally-resident third-country nationals – areas of strength & weakness for EU Member States • 27 February 2009 • Prague • Ministerial conference “Strengthening EU competitiveness – potential of migrants on the labour market” Presentation by Thomas HUDDLESTON, MPG

2. Rising unemployment, including immigrants, in “dis”integrating labour markets • Generally rises faster for immigrants as workers in with most vulnerable profiles & in worst-hit sectors • All categories of legal immigrants more likely to stay • Most determinate factors: • Socio-economic conditions in countries of origin—also hit by crisis • Return on past investments in immigration & integration • See better potential in country of residence’s labour market • Immigrant workers: problems of temporary ‘de-skilling,’ but overall more adaptive to labour market changes: greater geographical & occupational mobility • Recession raises general fears of employer discrimination

3. Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX, www.integrationindex.eu) • 142 indicators on policies promoting integration of legally-resident third-country nationals: • Labour market access • Family reunion • Long-term residence • Political participation • Access to nationality • Anti-discrimination • March 2007, 25 EU Member States (minus Bulgaria & Romania) plus Norway, Switzerland, Canada • Prospective impact assessment: • Investing in integration as part of a recovery package to stay on track for competitiveness and social cohesion

4. Retention Period for temporary workers to find new work Especially if job lost through no fault of their own Termination of work contract not automatic reason to withdraw status Security/rights of temporary workers slightly favourable Options to renew most permits Trade union rights Halfway security for workers losing their job: withdrawal of status procedures can ‘create’ irregular immigrants

5. Retention Period for temporary workers to find new work Especially if job lost through no fault of their own Termination of work contract not automatic reason to withdraw status Persistent legal barriers to jobs & self-employment Equal access to training for some Handful of integration measures Different procedures on recognition than for EEA, little state facilitation Integration stimulus & retraining Facilitate recognition as for EEA Equal access to vocational training & study grants Targets on combating unemployment, training, profession-based lang. courses

6. Integration stimulus & retraining Facilitate recognition as for EEA Equal access to vocational training & study grants Targets on combating unemployment, training, profession-based lang. courses

7. Wide range of actors cannot discriminate against workers based on their race, ethnicity, religion. Workers in half EU Member States Europe can still face discrimination based on their nationality. Protect population from discrimination in a downturn Fill any gaps in private sector: so that no employer can discriminate with impunity Legal protections for all residents active in labour market against hiring or firing based solely on their nationality

8. Protect population from discrimination in a downturn Fill any gaps in private sector: so that no employer can discriminate with impunity Legal protections for all residents active in labour market against hiring or firing based solely on their nationality Victims in some countries cannot receive independent legal advice & investigation Agencies with insufficient legal standing in judicial / admin procedures Some states lead dialogue & raise awareness State does anything in its power for equality agencies to help potential victims find justice Authorities assume legal responsibility to lead social dialogue & raise awareness: “honest broker”

9. State does anything in its power for equality agencies to help potential victims find justice Authorities assume legal responsibility to lead social dialogue & raise awareness: “honest broker”

10. ? Conclusion How would this recovery strategy affect overall integration policy across EU? ? ? ? ?

11. Conclusion How would this recovery strategy affect overall integration policy across EU? Only slight modifications necessary in most Wide improvements in (10 pts) in CZ, MT, PL also significant in AT, DK, DE, HU, LU