18/12/2016
The migrant crisis, European Union and diversity
Summary: Not only shouldInternational Migrants Day 2016serve to remind us of the tragedy of migrants seeking refuge, but it should also alert us to the dangers faced by the European Union: the questioning of its common project and the setback in its development as a diverse society.
Opinion article:
The celebration of this year’s International Migrants Day on 18 December coincides with a historical situation, systemically speaking, in the world’s movement of people and in the recognition of diversity in our societies.
Political and legal migration frameworks worldwide are being shaken by the large-scale involuntary displacement of people due to political conflicts, environmental disasters, economic reasons or social instability, known in Europe as the “migrant crisis”. From the outset, the use of this aseptic term does not help us to fully grasp the real situation that we are faced with. Firstly, because it would seem to mask the tragic situation being endured by refugees, which in many cases may cost them their lives. Secondly, because the concept of crisis is insufficient for us to understand that these circumstances are not merely temporary, but will be a defining feature of coming decades. Yet, what is possibly more important is that the real crisis lies in the principles at the heart of every State, and it has to be the State,rather than other international organizations or multilateral channels,whichis called upon to manage present-day global migration flows.
The European Union has considerable potential to deal with this issue, given that it is an organization with competence in migration, although it should be recognized that it has been incapable of managing effectively the situation of thousands of people desperately waiting at its gates. Moreover, it has reached an agreement with Turkey that, in some points, may even violate immigration laws or the EU founding Treaties. A case in point is the apathy shown by the Spanish Government towards meeting its commitment made in 2015 to take in 9,323 refugees from camps in Italy and Greece, of whom only 363 have so far been granted asylum. Similarly, only 118 of the 1,449 people from refugee camps in North Africa that Spain had agreed to take in, have been resettled.
We are in fact witnessing the questioning of the common project that the European Union stands for, without reflecting upon the position adopted by some of its Member States, which on occasion do not comply with the Community laws to which they are bound. This issue should be given the utmost importance, both by universities and the media, to prevent governments from pinning the blame on Europe for political errors which are actually national errors.
This year we have witnessed an example of the withdrawal of the State in migration matters; namely Brexit, which besides breaking with EU common policy regarding non-EU migrants, may also be putting an end to one of its essential values and a guarantee of peace and employment: the principle of freedom of movement for workers. As a result, many have expressed the need to grant greater independence to States in migration management. In this age of globalization, faced with the challenges of the global movement of people, which states are unable to handle alone, this is a totally misguided notion. It is absolutely essential to introduce within the framework of the European Union a truly common migration policy, beginning, on the one hand, with a strict approach to border security, and on the other, a more in-depth approach to the humanitarian and supportive aspects of asylum. The importance of immigration for economic reasons should also be embraced, facilitating the proper legal channels to make this possible.
Moreover, those contrary to a common European approach to overcome this humanitarian crisis are seeking to bring an end to the social diversity involved in taking in refugees, and more in general, migrants. A key factor to tackle this issue and silence the protesters is the implementation of integration policies in all areas of society, especially in the labour market or education, in which, incidentally, the Catalan Government has exclusive authority. On the other hand, and in view of the serious breakdown in conditions of equality in these areas, measures that implement the principle of non-discrimination based on ethnic or national origin, or religion, for example, should be reinforced. In particular, and specifically in work-related issues, the authorities should act courageously and assess specific ways to address the improvement of working conditions for migrant workers, on the basis of the same labour policies that recognize decent work for all workers, regardless of their nationality or migratory status.
Ferran Camas Roda
Full Professor of Labour and Social Security Law and Director of the Chair of Immigration, Rights and Citizenship.Universitat de Girona.
The European Union has considerable potential to deal with this issue, given that it is an organization with competence in migration, although it should be recognized that it has been incapable of managing effectively the situation of thousands of people desperately waiting at its gates. Moreover, it has reached an agreement with Turkey that, in some points, may even violate immigration laws or the EU founding Treaties. A case in point is the apathy shown by the Spanish Government towards meeting its commitment made in 2015 to take in 9,323 refugees from camps in Italy and Greece, of whom only 363 have so far been granted asylum. Similarly, only 118 of the 1,449 people from refugee camps in North Africa that Spain had agreed to take in, have been resettled.
We are in fact witnessing the questioning of the common project that the European Union stands for, without reflecting upon the position adopted by some of its Member States, which on occasion do not comply with the Community laws to which they are bound. This issue should be given the utmost importance, both by universities and the media, to prevent governments from pinning the blame on Europe for political errors which are actually national errors.
This year we have witnessed an example of the withdrawal of the State in migration matters; namely Brexit, which besides breaking with EU common policy regarding non-EU migrants, may also be putting an end to one of its essential values and a guarantee of peace and employment: the principle of freedom of movement for workers. As a result, many have expressed the need to grant greater independence to States in migration management. In this age of globalization, faced with the challenges of the global movement of people, which states are unable to handle alone, this is a totally misguided notion. It is absolutely essential to introduce within the framework of the European Union a truly common migration policy, beginning, on the one hand, with a strict approach to border security, and on the other, a more in-depth approach to the humanitarian and supportive aspects of asylum. The importance of immigration for economic reasons should also be embraced, facilitating the proper legal channels to make this possible.
Moreover, those contrary to a common European approach to overcome this humanitarian crisis are seeking to bring an end to the social diversity involved in taking in refugees, and more in general, migrants. A key factor to tackle this issue and silence the protesters is the implementation of integration policies in all areas of society, especially in the labour market or education, in which, incidentally, the Catalan Government has exclusive authority. On the other hand, and in view of the serious breakdown in conditions of equality in these areas, measures that implement the principle of non-discrimination based on ethnic or national origin, or religion, for example, should be reinforced. In particular, and specifically in work-related issues, the authorities should act courageously and assess specific ways to address the improvement of working conditions for migrant workers, on the basis of the same labour policies that recognize decent work for all workers, regardless of their nationality or migratory status.
Ferran Camas Roda
Full Professor of Labour and Social Security Law and Director of the Chair of Immigration, Rights and Citizenship.Universitat de Girona.
