The Integration of Migrants and its Effects on the Labour Market

The Integration of Migrants and its Effects on the Labour Market

Study for the European Parliament

November 2011

Werner Eichhorst et al.

In a new study requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, an international research team led by Werner Eichhorst (IZA Deputy Director of Labor Policy) analyzed the situation of immigrants in the EU member states. The research team also included: Corrado Giulietti (IZA), Martin Guzi (IZA), Michael J. Kendzia (IZA), Paola Monti (fRDB), Tommaso Frattini (Università degli Studi di Milano), Klaus Nowotny (WIFO), Peter Huber (WIFO) and Barbara Vandeweghe (IDEA Consult).

The report focuses on the process of integration and its impact on the labor market. Among other aspects, the experts investigate both restrictive immigration policies and practical barriers to integration. They describe best practices taken at the national and company level, which have been successful in promoting the integration of immigrants, preventing discrimination and improving their social inclusion.
The authors’ policy recommendations include: raising the awareness of discrimination issues, effective enforcement and implementation of anti-discrimination laws, promoting introduction programs for immigrants, providing language services for immigrant children, enhancing the labor market participation of immigrants, and improving the recognition of foreign qualifications.
The full text is downloadable from the European Parliament web pages and from the link below. On July 12, 2011, the study was presented by the authors at the European Parliament. The presentation can be downloaded from the link below.
Table of contents:
  1. Current patterns of immigration in the EU
  2. Immigrants and the labour markets
  3. The legal status of immigrants in the EU
  4. The integration of immigrants and their children
  5. The impact of immigration on the labour market and the welfare state
  6. Analysing EU and national policies and identifying best practices
  7. Policy recommendations

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