Towards a pro-active European labour migration policy : concrete measures for a comprehensive package

Abstract

Today, Europe is confronted with a remarkable paradox on its labour market. While many are out of work, there is also a serious need for labour. In addressing labour needs, the first priority for the EU and the Member States will be to reinforce policies directed at getting unemployment down. But given demographic characteristics and labour market realities, attracting skills and talents from outside the EU needs, at all costs, to be part of the policy response. This paper aims to identify a number of concrete measures that could be considered when constructing a pro-active European labour migration policy. The ideas and suggestions presented also aim to contribute to the implementation of the Commission’s work programme 2015 and to the new agenda for migration which the European Commission is to present shortly.