Night Owl Debate: Labour and Immigration: The Freedom of Movement in Europe

FEPS and Policy Network fringe at the Labour Party Conference. David Cameron’s EU reform agenda has […]
Speakers

28 - 29/09/2015
00:00:00 - 00:00:00
Night Owl Debate: Labour and Immigration: The Freedom of Movement in Europe
56081
night-owl-debate-labour-and-immigration-the-freedom-of-movement-in-europe
0
Select theme of interest first

GDPR

FEPS and Policy Network fringe at the Labour Party Conference.

David Cameron’s EU reform agenda has opened a heated debate on the centre-left about labour migration and the freedom of movement in the EU. On one hand, it is argued that free movement is a net contributor to the UK economy, a fundamental right within Europe and a central part of the EU project. The focus should be less about controlling the flows and more about managing the consequences of migration – and on reversing labour market and associated welfare choices that have disadvantaged low-wage workers.

On the other hand, it is argued that Labour has to think much harder about how to make Labour migration work in the interests of all citizens, not just well educated professionals. Blind defence of this fundamental principle needs urgent attention as labour migration is severely undermining support for Europe in traditional Labour constituencies. Rational arguments are not enough, perceptions and sentiments of insecurity related to EU migration need to be addressed. Given the upcoming EU referendum, the dim electoral prospect of the European centre-left, and the rise of populist competitors on the left and right, this debate is an important one for it touches on both the future of EU integration and the thorny issues of work, welfare and immigration.

Speakers: 

Stephen Booth, co-director, Open Europe

Rosa Crawford, lead policy officer-migration, TUC

David Goodhart, chair, Demos and editor-at-large, Prospect Magazine   

John McTernan, commentator and political strategist

Ania Skrzypek, senior research fellow, Foundation for European Progressive Studies

Chair: Renaud Thillaye, deputy director, Policy Network 

Find all related publications
Publications
28/03/2023

Back to the Dark Ages?

Q-commerce, rapid retail and the changing landscape of retail work
28/03/2023

Getting the goods

Trade unions and strategy in the quick-commerce sector
24/03/2023

Making Next-Generation EU a permanent tool

Recovery Watch series
21/03/2023

Is an EU-wide approach to the mental health crisis necessary?

Demand for an EU mental health strategy existed before the pandemic but has intensified since. […]
Find all related news
News
13/03/2023

Digital programme: Algorithms at the workplace

FEPS, together with Nordic partners, launched a Digital Program on algorithmic management and workers' rights
20/02/2023

When will European women start earning the same as men?

Spoiler alert: that day hasn’t arrived yet
20/02/2023

Let’s end involuntary unemployment!

European survey on the perception of unemployment and publicly funded jobs
07/02/2023

New study on how and why social issues have increased in prominence during the EP negotiations

Progress towards inclusive economic transition but need for further improvements in terminology and framing of vulnerable groups
Find all related in the media
In the media

Research shows Ireland is too reliant on voluntary sector for mental health services

by RTÉ Radio 1 27/03/2023
RTÉ Radio 1 talks about our case studies 'Is an EU-wide approach to the mental health crisis necessary?', published in collaboration with Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC)

Irish mental health services ‘too hospital-centric’

by Irish Examiner 23/03/2023
Irish Examiner article on FEPS and TASC policy study "Is an EU-wide approach to the Mental Health Crisis necessary?"

Ireland lacks key mental health services, report finds

by RTÉ 23/03/2023
RTÉ article on FEPS and TASC policy study "Is an EU-wide approach to the Mental Health Crisis necessary?"

‘No one is unemployable’: the French social experiment

by EUobserver 21/03/2023
EUobserver article on unemployment in the EU with a mention to FEPS' policy brief 'A Job Guarantee for Europe.'