Foreign workers still face obstacles in accessing decent working and living conditions in the EU. In 2019, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, non-EU nationals were already more likely to be unemployed or employed temporarily than nationals and mobile EU citizens. They were also at greater risks of poverty and social exclusion. The pandemic highlighted their positive contributions to sectors deemed essential, like the food industry and health care, but also exacerbated existing inequalities and vulnerabilities in relation to work and housing.
This Policy Insights paper, which came about with the support of the European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM), examines the relevant EU policy and legal frameworks and identifies advocacy opportunities to ensure fair working and decent housing conditions for all migrants. It also includes action-oriented recommendations for civil society organisations (CSOs). Their focus is on strengthening cross-sectoral and transnational collaborations with policymakers, trade unions and the private sector; shaping ongoing and future legislative initiatives in a way that does not leave any blind spots for specific categories of non-EU nationals (e.g. undocumented migrants); and involving migrants and persons with a migrant background in CSOs’ research and advocacy.
If you are looking for funding to support migrants’ inclusion with cross-sectorial initiatives (in agri-food, health, platform work, housing etc.), you can apply for this Call for Proposals by EPIM (deadline 8th of April 2022).This Policy Insights paper has been funded by EPIM. The sole responsibility for the content lies with the author(s), and the content may not necessarily reflect the positions of the EPC, EPIM, the Network of European Foundations, or EPIM’s partner foundations. Read the full paper here.