Government launches new national strategy on migration

In early October 2007, the Romanian government adopted the ‘National strategy on migration for 2007–2010’. Romania’s accession to the European Union in January 2007 and the new approach to migration in the EU context have made this step necessary, following the previous 2004 strategy on migration. The new strategy focuses on the government’s aims regarding controlled immigration, prevention and control of illegal immigration, asylum and social integration of immigrants.

Background

On 1 January 2007, Romania joined the European Union (EU) as a frontier state on the EU’s eastern boundaries. This makes the country an attractive destination and presents a real ‘pull factor’ for migrants. As a result, Romania has become one of the preferred destinations for third-country nationals.

Population ageing, and the free movement of labour – one of the four basic principles for European integration and achieving the Single European Market – have led to labour shortages in certain geographical areas of Romania, as well as in particular economic sectors and professions. In this context, the two parallel occurring trends, namely the emigration of Romanian citizens and the immigration of foreigners to Romania, need to be correlated and brought in line with EU migration policies and forecasts.

In recent years, Romania has received EU funding to help strengthen its border security, allow for computer-based record-keeping and management of immigrants, and assist in the building of shelters for these people. Moreover, since Romania’s first migration strategy in 2004, local authorities have gained more experience in this field, including better institutional coordination. In light of this, on 3 October 2007, the government adopted the new ‘National strategy on migration for the period 2007–2010’.

Content of new strategy

The aims of the Romanian government (Guvernul României) with regard to migration have been grouped together in four types of policies:

• controlled immigration;

• prevention and control of illegal immigration;

• asylum;

• social absorption – full social and cultural integration – of immigrants.

Controlled immigration policy

The new migration strategy aims to provide the framework for free movement and residence rights of EU citizens, as well as to permit access of third-country nationals to employment in Romania relative to the demands of the local labour market. Furthermore, the strategy encourages the admission of certain categories of foreign workers seeking to conduct business operations in Romania. It also promotes an efficient screening process of foreigners coming to study in Romania and ensures better management of immigrant data using information technology (IT).

Policy of prevention and control of illegal immigration

The strategy focuses on providing adequate information to potential immigrants. In addition, it aims to improve domestic and international institutional cooperation towards controlling illegal immigration and illegal work, as well as dealing with illegal immigrants in Romania who are in breach of immigration rules. In doing so, it prepares Romania for its accession to the Schengen common border control and visa zone.

Asylum policy

Under the new strategy, the government also intends to abide by international standards adhered to through the treaties and conventions to which Romania is a party. It also aims to ensure and maintain Romania’s capacity to assume the duties assigned to it as an EU Member State, by way of efficient enforcement of the specific policies, procedures and practices defined to prevent, deter, and punish abuse of the asylum process – all while assuming an active role in the development of functional asylum systems in eastern and southeastern Europe. In order to improve the processing and conditions of asylum seekers, Romania will take the necessary steps to carry out projects supported by EU funding which target refugees and integration processes.

Social absorption policy for foreigners

The main targets pursued in relation to the social absorption policy include: helping foreigners to take an active part in domestic business and cultural activities, while retaining their cultural identity; enabling foreign persons to participate in government-promoted social integration programmes; coordinating integration programmes and implementing the government’s specific policies through the National Office for Refugees (Oficiul Naţional pentru Refugiaţi, ONR); keeping Romanian citizens informed of integration laws and benefits for foreigners; training civil servants in the healthcare, education, employment and social welfare sectors to find adequate solutions for the social integration of foreigners in Romania.

Implementation of migration strategy

The new strategy will be introduced through the technical secretariat of the interministerial coordination group.

The steps marked out for the fulfilment of the aims of this strategy will be outlined in detail in the annual national action plans.

The institutions in charge of implementing the plans will be, primarily, the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reform (Ministerul Internelor şi Reformei Administrative, MIRA) and the Ministry of Labour, Family and Equal Opportunities (Ministerul Muncii, Familiei şi Egalităţii de Şanse, MMFES), with the support of the Ministry of Education, Research and Youth (Ministerul Educaţiei, Cercetării şi Tineretului, MECT), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerul Afacerilor Externe, MAE) and the Romanian Agency for Foreign Investment (Agenţia Română pentru Investiţii Străine, ARIS).

Commentary

The national strategy on migration is a communication document, which seeks to create the adequate environment for inter-institutional cooperation. So far, the social partners have not publicly voiced their opinions on the new strategy. However, emigration is the argument that trade unions raise in support of their demand for higher wages. This is due to the fact that emigration has in recent times been taking a serious toll on the country’s labour reserves, particularly in sectors such as construction, education, healthcare and even agriculture (RO0611049I). Immigration, on the other hand, is the employers’ counterargument to deter wage claims and to offset the labour deficit.

Constantin Ciutacu, Institute of National Economy, Romanian Academy