Activities of Jean LAMBERT related to 2012/2131(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination PDF (284 KB) DOC (227 KB)
Amendments (53)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -1
Recital -1
– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in particular Articles 15, 18, 20, 21, 34 thereof,
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recommends the introduction of a standard social security clause in Association Agreements and, with countries that are not covered by an Association Agreement, the negotiation of a social security agreement; ensuring full compliance with EU and national law;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. When discussing new immigration, it is not sufficient to refer to a shortage of labour in the EU and an ageing European population. It is also necessary to ascertain the maximum absorption capacity of the EU Member States for new immigration. In many Member States, particularly in Western Europe, that capacity has already long since been exceeded. Moreover, the first priority should be to seek to find employment for the foreigners already present, rather than allowing new immigrants to swell their ranks.
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
– having regard to the Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification,1 1 OJ L 251, 3.10.2003, p. 12.
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
(1) 1. The impacts of demographic changes in Europe will increase over the coming decades, with an ageing population, longer life expectancies, and a declining work age population. With the need for increasing migration, inclusive and effective integration policies are essential.
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital 16 b (new)
Recital 16 b (new)
– having regard to the Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third country nationals who are long-term residents,1 1 OJ L 16, 23.1.2004, p. 44.
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the number of foreign-born nationals coming from countries outside the EU-27 is estimated at 32 million, corresponding to 6.5% of the total population, often facing similar problems with regard to labour force participation, performance at school or discrimination, racism and xenophobia;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. It is counterfactual to present new immigration as something which only confers benefits. Recent research in the Netherlands1 estimates the cost of immigration to be at least €7 billion per annum. The arrival of unskilled new immigrants, in particular, imposes a heavy burden on social security systems. Meanwhile, such schemes as family reunification and immigration for purposes of study are clearly abused to provide an extra channel for immigration., whereas other studies such as that conducted by LSE in 2007 (2) and more recently, in 2011 by the Institute for the Study of Labour and the Economic and Social Research Institute (3) present a different picture. as footnotes - (2) London School of Economics and Political Science, 'The Impact of Recent Immigration on the London Economy' 2007 (3) Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) and The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), 'Study on Active Inclusion of Migrants', 2011
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas many migrants within the EU are working in jobs below their level of qualification;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Entry and residence must be governed by clear, fair and non-discriminatory rules which must conform to the standards of the rule of law at national and EU level; entry criteria must be readily comprehensible and have long- term validity; long-term residence entitlement in the foreseeable future is a key prospect as far as integration is concerned; language proficiency is important and should be encouraged and supported but not used as a selection or penalty criterion.
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas, while the EU can expect to receive a steady inflow of migrants, it has to compete globally for the best brains, and should therefore address the issues that might act as a deterrent to such migration, not least the right to be accompanied by immediate family and the right to work for long-term partners;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the factors that could make Europe attractive include an active approach to employment, the prospect of real integration, and success in education and training for students from a migration background in the context of a ‘welcome culture’ minimising administrative barriers and a strong equality approach;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers that the principle of free movement of persons should be applied, inter alia, to help the internal market to function properly; people who have come to live in the European Union should be able to claim throughout the Union the social and labour-law entitlements which they have accumulated during their working lives;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas employment is the key to successful integration; and Principle 3 of the EU's Integration Principles stresses that employment is a key part of the integration process " being central to the participation of immigrants, to the contribution immigrants make to the host society and to making such contributions visible";
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas it is estimated that between 1.9 million and 3.8 million immigrants are living and working illegallyn an irregular situation in the EU;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Recalls that integration is a continuous two way process requiring the involvement of both third country nationals and the host society. Welcomes the many good practice examples, across the EU, of the integration of migrants, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, often through projects carried out by local authorities, who play a key role in delivering on integration objectives.
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas responsibility at EU level for the integration of third-country nationals into the labour market, and for integration generally, is split between several Commission directorates-general and the European External Action Service;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Regards integration measures at local, regional and national level as an important point of departure; considers that there is therefore a need for non- discriminatory access to social insurance and health systems and for support measures aimed at specific target groups in education; the complaints and advisory systems which exist to combat discrimination, with specific powers to impose penalties, should be fully developed and well equipped in all Member States;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas there can be a similarly fragmented approach at national level between different departments and levels of government and different agencies;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Regrets the recent changes made to certain national legislation on legal immigration, the effect of which is to rescind the legal status of a number of legal migrants;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Recalls the EU's Common basic Principles on Immigrants Integration (CBPs). Regrets that Member States are not currently using the European Integration Fund to its full potential, and recalls that the aim of the fund is to support Member State's actions to implement the CBPs.
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Observes that, in many Member States, insufficient efforts are made to integrate migrants and that targeted efforts are therefore still required from the authorities; this is also attributable to an erroneous approach: migrants are primarily portrayed as a security risk; the positive opportunities are perceived far too little; in many cases, therefore, qualifications obtained in the home country are not recognised nearly as much as they should be;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Recalls the importance of voting rights, particularly at the local level for migrants as an important tool for integration and active citizenship; is concerned by the political under representation of minorities at all levels of government, including at Member State level and in the European Parliament.
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that integration into the labour market and into society requires commitment on both sides, on one side especially in relation to language learning and familiarity with the law, political system, customs and usage and patterns of social interaction in the host country; on the other building an inclusive society and granting access to the labour market, to institutions, as well as to education, social security, healthcare, access to goods and services, and housing , on a basis equal to national citizens and in a non- discriminatory way;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4 d. Deplores the desperate situation of undocumented migrants and failed asylum seekers in the EU, many of whom are destitute, and calls for solutions to be found, in full respect of the fundamental rights of those concerned. Notes that undocumented migrants have very few prospects for integration and that opening up channels for regularisation would improve integration prospects.
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4 e. Recalls that around half of the EU's migrants are women. An independent migration status for women and the right to work for spouses are crucial elements to ensure effective integration.
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 f (new)
Paragraph 4 f (new)
4 f. Regrets recent changes to the 'right to nationality at birth' legislation in some Member States which is increasing cases of statelessness in the EU.
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 g (new)
Paragraph 4 g (new)
4 g. Recalls the important role of the mass media in shaping public opinion on immigration and integration, and calls for responsible journalism to foster mutual respect and understanding of each others similarities and differences.
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 h (new)
Paragraph 4 h (new)
4 h. Welcomes the establishment of the European Integration Forum which provides a platform for civil society to discuss challenges and priorities on migrant integration issues. Would welcome stronger links between the forum and the ongoing political and legislative process at the EU level.
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that the Member States' integration policies and measures must be better differentiated and tailored and of higher quality and, most importantly, that they must thus draw distinctions, for example, between the well qualified and the poorly qualified, between EU citizens and third-country nationals and between migrants with and without offers of employment, and meet the needs of the migrants; availability and affordability of such measures are important factors in assisting the take-up of such measures;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that different actors in the integration process have different strengths; while government agencies can provide information for migrants on public services, local educational institutions can offer language courses and skills training, trade unions can provide complementary information and support concerning employment conditions, while recruitment agencies often play a vital role in providing information during the pre-departure stage. Employers' associations can bring companies together to pool resources, and help with the induction process, while community and migrant associations play a key role as access points to the local community beyond the workplace. Given these different resources, the added-value of such an integrated approach, bringing all these actors to work together to provide a comprehensive set of services for migrant workers is clear;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses that employers are required by law to treat all employees equally and not to discriminate between them on grounds of religion, sex, ethnicity or nationality, thus promoting fundamental rights, non-discrimination and equal opportunities is a crucial part of the integration process;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that countries of origin have aand the host country have shared responsibility for promoting integration into the labour market by means of language and other preparatory courses, the provision of information, and contacts with diaspora or the relevant departments of their embassies in host countries, and overseeing the role and responsible behaviour of recruitment agencies;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Member States to guarantee access to education and vocational training and minors' rights to education, including funding and study grants; calls on the Member States to create instruments to prevent the underachievement and the early school leaving of children of workers from third- countries;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission, in connection with the proposed points system, to consider developing an international platform on EURES for standardised job and skills profiles, in order to facilitate the recruitment of job-seeking migrants and the comparison of their capabilities;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises that by participating in the points system Member States would become more attractive to qualified third- country nationals, for whom it would constitute a simplificationa more coherent approach to migration policy at the EU level would constitute a simplification for those seeking to work in the EU;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises the importance of needs- orientated migration by qualified people,on both sides and calls on the Commission and the Member States, together with their regions and municipalities, to introduce a joint system of coordination at European level to identify labour-force needs and direct labour migration more effectively;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Asks that migrants should have easier access to the labour market and that they should be able to rely on the quick and inexpensive recognition and validation of their diplomas, qualifications and skills and an effective skills evaluation in case of absence of documents for asylum seekers and those with international protection;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for migrants to be prepared for the domestic labour market right at the start of their period of residence; points in this connection to best practice in the field of integration into the labour market, e.g. mentoring for migrants, integration pilots and ‘migrants for migrants’' vocationally- based language courses;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Member States to inform migrants about the possibility of being represented by trade unions and encourage trade unions to include migrants workers;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for action to promote intelligent strategies on circular migration that have the necessary resources and legal guarantees and conditions to create secure jobs and prevent illegalrregular immigration;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on Member States to open up a route into legality for people without papers who can earn their living through employment; and to deal swiftly and competently with requests for the renewal of status decisions and documents;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the ILO Convention on domestic workers coming into force in 2013 and calls on all EU Member States to ratify it without delay;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the existing EU agreements on social security coordination; but calls on the Commission to take action so as to address the social security coordination for 3rd country nationals, especially the preservation of rights, when leaving or re- entering the EU and to accompany the EU's migration policy with adequate measures addressing acquired social security rights of concerned migrants;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes, in this context, the Ibero- American Convention on Social Security and proposes providing a possibility for further Member States to join this Convention, alongside Portugal and Spain, as a platform for European coordination; stresses that while bi-lateral agreements between EU Member States and third countries might provide for better social security protection, they make it difficult for third-country nationals moving between countries in the EU to be aware of their social security rights;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to rapidly put into place the announced Forum at EU level for co-operation between Member State experts who deal with such bilateral agreements;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Calls on the Commission to set up guidance for Member States entering into any bilateral agreement so as to have a more uniform application across the EU, respecting both the EU Social Security Co-ordination and the ILO Social Security Conventions;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
Paragraph 25 c (new)
25c. Calls on Member States and the Commission to broaden the practice of EU Association agreements with both third countries and regions regarding the social security;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Points out that, even though the adoption of Regulation (EU) No. 1231/2010 allowed rights provided under Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 to be extended to third-country nationals, these rights can be claimed only in the case of cross-border activity within the EU, which means that most third-country nationals are excluded; expects that measures relating to access to social security already included in EU legislation, such as the Single Permit Directive will be implemented fully;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29