29/01/2025 Session
According to PACE, demographic ageing in Europe and the worrying reduction in the youth and working age population will have profound implications, not only for individuals, but also for public services, business and civil society, impacting in particular health and social care systems, labour markets, public finances and pension entitlements.
In adopting a resolution based on the report by Kate Osamor (United Kingdom, SOC), PACE underlined the need for increasing support for elderly people and called on member states to “develop effective policies to ensure the well-being and quality of life for the elderly population”.
In parallel to that, PACE proposed that member states improve their policies “promoting migrants’ general integration and social cohesion”. These comprehensive, gender-responsive and multidimensional integration policies range from the regularisation of undocumented migrant workers to the promotion of direct and targeted aid in local communities and job training, the adopted resolution underlines. “Immigration can be one means through which Europe could fulfil its current and future labour shortages, particularly in care provision occupations,” the parliamentarians said.
In order to lead to more sustainable integration and bring migrants, refugees and the local community together, the Parliamentary Assembly also advocates the implementation of programmes aimed at building bridges between various communities, by relying on civil society organisations and strengthening their capacities.