Strasbourg, 13.11.2009 – Migration could well present a solution for Europe’s recovery from the economic crisis, according to Mevlüt Cavusoglu (Turkey EDG), Chair of PACE’s Sub-Committee on Migration, speaking at the end of a two-day forum, “Remain, migrate or return: what to do in a global recession?” held on 12-13 November in Antalya, Turkey.
“Migrants often adapt more easily to changes than mainstream populations,” Mr Cavusoglu pointed out. “Their contribution can help countries to recover and adapt to new circumstances. Furthermore, the current crisis offers a window of opportunity to rethink our migration policies – notably how best to balance the need to control migration flows with the effective integration of our migrants.” An ageing Europe still needed workers, he added, and all avenues of legal migration should be kept open.
However, there were also concerns in the short term: “Migrants can be the first in line to lose their jobs, together with their legal residence status. We heard at the Forum how those who lose their jobs are not necessarily returning to their countries of origin, placing a growing number of well-integrated migrants into an irregular situation. This makes them vulnerable.”
Legal migrants should be able to retain their residence permits for a certain period of time after their work contract ends in order to be able to seek new employment, he said. They should also receive the same help in finding a new job as the local population.
Finally, migrants were often stigmatised, for example blamed for lack of jobs and other evils, which should not be tolerated. Politicians and the media should portray migrants in objective terms, recognising their positive contributions to society, Mr Cavusoglu said.
