Press release, 13 November 2008
Eurofound publishes resource pack on migration in Europe
Should I stay or should I go? Opportunities and challenges of cross-country mobility
(DUBLIN, IRELAND) More than half of European citizens (53%) put ‘freedom of travel and work in the EU’ first when asked what the EU represents to them, well ahead of the introduction of the euro and safeguarding peace. However, in reality, only a small number of Europeans have actually moved to another Member State. Eurofound's new resource pack on migration examines migration patterns and highlights the associated opportunities and challenges.
In theory, Europeans are all for it: 49% think that mobility is a good thing for an individual while 50% think there are advantages for the economy, according to the figures published in the resource pack. However, only 4% of workers have actually seized the opportunity and moved to another country in the EU after leaving their parental home, according to Eurofound´s report ‘Mobility in Europe’.
Fear of losing contact with family and friends is cited by 44% of EU citizens as a risk in 2005. And 17% of those who had actually moved did report deterioration in their contact with family and friends. The challenge of having to learn a new language is also often quoted as a disincentive to cross-country mobility. Only 31% of the employed EU population said they would be ready to move even if faced with unemployment in the future.
The resource pack also contains a new report on the social and economic integration of migrants in cities, the second output from the European Network of Cities for Local Integration Policy for Migrants (CLIP) project. It looks at equality and diversity policies in city administrations in relation to employment as well as service provision for migrants. It documents numerous good practice examples showing how European cities are striving to ensure greater equality in their employment practices.
The report also identifies key challenges for city administrations in relation to migrants, such as the lack of information and knowledge regarding employment levels and working conditions of migrants; the under-representation of migrants in local authority employment in comparison to local labour market levels; and the under-representation of migrants in middle and higher management in public authorities.
Download the resource pack ‘East, west, home is best? Migration in Europe’
For further information, contact Måns Mårtensson on email mma@eurofound.europa.eu or telephone +353-1-204 3124 or mobile +353-876-593 507.
NOTE TO THE EDITOR
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound, www.eurofound.europa.eu) is a tripartite EU body, whose role is to provide key actors in social policy making with findings, knowledge and advice drawn from comparative research. The Foundation was established by Council Regulation EEC No 1365/75 of 26 May 1975. Eurofound is located in Dublin, Ireland.
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