EU, Legal Migration and The Salvation Army
by Mike STANNETT
European Commission, European Economic and Social Committee, Brussels, 3-4 April 2019
5th European Migration Forum
From Global to Local Governance of Migration: The role of local authorities and civil society in managing migration and ensuring safe and regular pathways to the EU.
The EU measures on legal immigration cover the conditions of entry and residence for certain categories of immigrants, such as highly qualified workers subject to the ‘EU Blue Card Directive’ and Intra-corporate transfers. Students and researchers, Family reunification and long-term residents are also provided for.
This year the issues relating to Undocumented Migrants was widely discussed in most workshops. This was a positive step forward, as at previous Migration Forums it was the ‘elephant’ in the room that was not being discussed.
The EU Affairs Officer was able to initiate a work shop at last years forum to at least get the issues of undocumented migrants recognised and into the minutes/reports. Therefore it was gratifying to see it being taken up by so many delegates this year.
EU & Legal Migration & The Salvation Army
The issue of migration, both the open doors policy and migrants from third countries outside of the EU, has become a central part of the mainstream political landscape. The pressures and tensions are reflected in the growing populist and far right political parties within EU member states. Yet at the same time it is equally recognised that migration of workers and their families is essential to the economic health of the EU. Therefore, ensuring safe and regular pathways into Europe to cater for the higher skilled migrant is so necessary. Much of the conference was, hence, taken up with issues and schemes to help make this ‘legal migration’ process more effective.
Depending on what happens in the EU elections, there are forces that wish to make even this form of migration more restrictive. This is leading employers to greater frustration in the terms of higher costs and longer waiting times. This also has the potential to effect The Salvation Army being able to move leaders and personnel from other parts of the world into Europe. Known as Intra-corporate Transfers. There is already evidence that the time delay and costs are making it difficult to get international staff into some EU countries.
Considerations for The Salvation Army:
- Constant changing of the rules hampers migration and employers, what impacts on the TSA?
- EU Office Question: Will these recommendations make the movement of third country nationals easier to be employed in Europe ? For the TSA to get other nationals into Europe.
- Should TSA address women’s issues of migrants more at corps level and institutional level?
- Four Crisis facing the EU – How will the Army respond, is the Army ready and able to respond?
EU Office:
- The EU Affairs Office has been instrumental in getting the undocumented migrants on to the agenda.
- The EU Affairs Office raised the issue of mobile Roma migrants, particularly their limited access to social protection rights as EU citizens. A workshop was held to discuss this matter and to get it recorded in the Forum report.
- Encouraging the EU to be more supportive of the human rights of undocumented and irregular migrants at city level. To make funds available for humanitarian support for mobile and irregular migrants, until other measures have become effective, strengthening boarders, more effective return system etc.
- Four Crisis facing the EU – How will the church respond, is the church ready and able to respond
The term ‘Legal Migration’ by definition is suggesting that other forms of migration somehow is criminal or illegal. Migration is not just asylum seekers and refugees, but others who have been here for a long time, others who are undocumented, others who are mobile migrants, children born here, etc.
EU Commissioner Dimitri Avramopoulos:
"Strengthening borders, increasing returns is not enough in regards to undocumented/ irregular migrants. EU has promised 50,000 homes to give protection".
Innovations/Best practice
Iffat Gill – Amsterdam
Digital literacy- upgrading of IT skils especially for women. To help develop opprotunitie for employment in the IT sector. Help with mentoring and CV’s, show casing new skills on a digital platform
Plan Einstein- Utrecht
- Language classes including local community not just migrants . The sharing of classes together was the central element to their father development of the activities and also of inclusion.
- Entrepreneurial - business development program
- Young people went around the neighbourhood to meet with them and show that they were not a danger, not to be feared.
- Involve the community is essential to integration and reducing tensions.
Urban innovative Actions –UIA , Utrecht
The Urban Development Network
Utrechts proudly calls its self a ‘Human Rights City’ . They have made a promise to themselves that any body who is rejected during the asylum process is not put on to the street but isable to link in with the UIA. It has been proved that by offering accommodation and other services 80% become registered and settled. Approx.. 10% voluntary return home , leaving only 10% without a solution. This is the most effective programme in regards to taking Undocumented migrants needs seriously leading to social integration.
Most European cities are shy to name themselves as ‘Human Rights Cities’ for fear of being held to account when they fail to meet human rights. Human rights are being blatantly ignored through out the EU.
Five Workshops:
1. From global to local governance of migration: The role of local authorities and civil society in managing migration and ensuring safe and regular pathways to the EU.
2.What is the future of the EU legal migration policy ?
3. The role of civil society orgs. In developing and enhancing safe channels for humanitarian and protection reasons
4. The role of Civil society and other non-public actors in enhancing cooperation with Third countries on managing migration.
5. Migrants empowerment for better integration policies.
Workshop recommendations to the EC are available here.
Tags: Europe