16th progress report of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population

Recommendation 689 (1972)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

See Doc. 3218, report of the Committee on Population and Refugees. Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 14 December 1972.

The Assembly,

1. Having examined the 16th progress report of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population (Doc. 3155) ;

2. Having noted with satisfaction the adoption, by the Committee of Ministers, of Resolution (72) 14 on "The current overpopulation situation in certain Council of Europe member States" ;

3. Noting that migration will become more extensive in the coming years ;

4. Considering that migration within Europe should not be motivated solely by the need of immigration countries for relatively unskilled workers, but should, on the contrary, form part of a social and vocational training policy aimed at securing the balanced growth of European society ;

5. Earnestly hoping that the Council of Europe will elaborate an overall policy for migration within Europe, with a view to improving the legal, economic and social positions of both migrant workers and their families,

6. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

a approve the 16th progress report of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population ;

b adopt the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers, with a view to opening the convention for signature by member States at its 52nd Session ;

c undertake preparatory studies for a system of data which will show the effects of industrial expansion on the employment of foreign manpower, and so make possible the adaptation of social infrastructures, and of vocational training in particular ;

d promote the participation of migrant workers in the activities of local communities, by instructing the Special Representative and his Advisory Committee to make proposals to this end ;

e give the Special Representative the necessary resources to continue the vocational training grants programme and the studies relating to the equivalence of professional qualifications ;

f draw the attention of member States to the advantages of membership of the Resettlement Fund, and stress the spirit of European solidarity underlying the efforts of that institution.