17th progress report of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population

Recommendation 711 (1973)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 26 September 1973 (11th Sitting) (see Doc. 3331, report of the Committee on Population and Refugees). Text adopted by the Assembly on 26 September 1973 (11th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Having examined the 17th progress report of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population (Doc. 3314) ;

2. Having noted with satisfaction the adoption by the Committee of Ministers of Resolution (72) 18 on the methods of compiling statistics on international migration of workers ;

3. Noting that the number of migrant workers now stands at a record figure in the immigration countries of Western Europe, and that the authorities concerned in several member States are of the opinion that the present percentage of foreign workers in their national territories should not be exceeded ;

4. Considering that the efforts to solve the problems raised by migratory movements should be intensified not only at national but also at European level, with a view in particular to avoiding disparities from country to country in the legislation governing migrant workers' employment and residence ;

5. Appreciating the important work already done in relation to migrant workers by the Special Representative and his Advisory Committee, and requesting him, in accordance with Article 1 of Resolution (56) 8, in which his functions are laid down, to make personal contact with member governments so as to ascertain their exact stand on the draft Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers,

6. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

a approve the 17th 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 and open it for signature by member States early in 1974 ;

c adopt the following resolutions :

the European equivalence of the professional tide of "light vehicle repair mechanic" ;

equality of treatment for national workers and migrant workers with regard to : working conditions, remuneration, dismissal, geographical and occupational mobility ;

reunion of migrant workers' families in the member States of the Council of Europe ;

d adopt the proposal to introduce a school career record for children of migrant workers and declare its use obligatory in member States ;

e request the Special Representative and his Advisory Committee to make studies of the following problems :

6.5.1 illicit migrant workers ;

6.5.2 the protection of migrant workers and their families in the event of an economic recession ;

6.5.3 frontier workers ;

6.5.4 the recognition of occupational certificates and qualifications following the example of those of "light vehicle repair mechanics" ;

6.5.5 means of centralising and circulating information which would help to stabilise migratory movements in Europe and facilitate the return of migrant workers in their country of origin ;

f request once again those member States which have not yet done so to join the Resettlement Fund, so that it may be in a position to expand its activities.