Network
Network
BACKGROUND
A competitive workforce is a pivotal prerequisite for creating a globally competitive knowledge economy. Migration is an important instrument for filling labour and skill shortages in the labour markets and alleviating demographic tendencies of ageing and, in some countries, decreasing population, while also contributing to entrepreneurship, diversity and innovation in host economies.
An efficient and flexible labour market is a pillar of a competitive economy where human resources are allocated to their most efficient use in conditions of equality in the business and social environment, and workers are provided with incentives to perform in their jobs at their best capacity.
Europe is in a global competition to attract talent, and in light of this, integration policies are essential to attract migrants that are needed by the European economy. Successful migration is legal, well-managed, and provides a positive economic and social contribution to the host communities while also benefi ting migrants and countries of origin. On the one hand, migrants are an important human resource to fill the needs of labour markets, but on the other, they also represent a disadvantaged group to be supported in its inclusion process in the labour markets and host communities.
The Independent Network of Labour Migration and Integration Experts (LINET) was created in 2009 by the International Organization for Migration in order to provide DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the European Commission with expert analysis and advice on economic migration and labour market integration of third-country nationals. The network unites experts from 27 Member States of the European Union, Croatia, Norway and Turkey, and aims to support the European Commission in evidence-based decision-making and mainstreaming issues of labour market integration of migrants in achieving Europe 2020 goals.
In 2009-2010 the network conducted three studies:
• The study on Migration and the Economic Crisis in the European Union: Implications for Policy on the project website.
• The two-volume study Migration, Employment and Labour Market Integration Policies in the European Union (2000-2009).
These publications are available for download under Research.
Two EU-level seminars were held in December 2009 and June 2010 respectively on the impact of the economic crisis on migration and relevant policies, and on fostering labour market integration of migrants in the framework of Europe 2020 strategy.
ACTIVITIES IN 2011
In 2010-2011 the network focuses on the topics that are of interest to the European Commission in light of the tasks enshrined in the Action Plan Implementing the Stockholm Programme, and the goals of the Europe 2020 agenda. In particular, the network will produce by October 2011:
• A study on Identification of Labour and Skill Shortages in the Context of Migration and Employment Policies
• A study on Labour Market Inclusion of Low-Skilled Migrants
• An annual monitoring review on migration, employment and labour market integration of migrants that will analyze data and policy developments in each LINET project country in 2009-2010.
In order to share the research results and promote further debate, IOM organizes EU-level seminars gathering participants from thirty LINET countries, including national government officials, EU institutions, academia, think-tanks, trade unions, and representatives of the private sector, international organizations and civil society.
In summer and autumn 2011, IOM will organize two EU-wide seminars on meeting labour market shortages through migration, and on the good policy practices in labour market integration of low-skilled migrants.
All studies are carried out in English, and their executive summaries are translated into the national languages of all LINET countries. The studies and seminar materials are available for free download at this website.
