Making Migration Work after the Crisis

International labor migration promotes economic development in sending countries and can help overcome skill shortages and demographic problems in host countries. Nevertheless, many of these potential benefits are not realized because immigration policies are often too restrictive and not harmonized between host and sending countries.

Two aspects appear to be crucial in making migration more beneficial for both sides. First, host countries should take more responsibility for economically and socially integrating immigrants in their societies. Second, host and sending countries should cooperate to provide migrants with more flexible migration opportunities and incentives to return.

What are benchmarks for successful policies for the economic integration and social inclusion of immigrants? Specifically, what is the relative importance of flexible labor markets vs. activist government policies in fields like community development, schooling, language skills, and training in cultural awareness?

What is the role of civil society and the business community in promoting migrants’ labor market integration and eliminating discrimination against migrants? Should temporary migration schemes be promoted? Should immigrants have differential access to the welfare state? How can social security contributions and benefits be made portable across countries? How can Diasporas contribute more effectively to economic and social development in their home countries?