Week 4:
Chapter 6: Migration in Europe since 1945
After WWII: large-scale immigration = structural feature of EU societies and economies.
Transformation of EU from region of mass emigration in 19/20th century, to region of large-scale
inflows from diverse array of countries.
Reasons for mass migration to EU:
1. Recruitment of ‘guestworkers’ and demand for migrant labour because of demographic
transitions, economic transformations and related growth of dual labour markets
2. Decolonization processes; particularly in UK, France, Netherlands and Russia
3. Dismantling of West European and Soviet empires between 1945-1991 = postcolonial
migration reversal. Became dominant over time and contributed to the increasing diversity of
EU destination countries
4. The fall of Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dismantling of communist regimes in Central +
Eastern Europe
5. Collapse of Soviet Union 1991: Russia evolved into second-most popular migration
destination in EU
Schengen Area 1995 + EU expansion stimulated migration within expanding European migration
systems. It did not replace non-European immigration, which only kept on increasing = paradox:
creation of an open border area has not led to massive internal migration, while external border
controls were not able to curb rising legal immigration of non-EU and non-European citizens.
Important: the above proves that migration needs to be seen as an intrinsic part of broader processes
and development and socioeconomic transformation.
Fundamental processes of structural change such as decolonization, demographic ageing, the shift
from industrial to service sector jobs, and the growing importance of precarious labour in increasingly
segmented labour markets have created the conditions for large-scale immigration to occur.
Active labour recruitment = crucial role in facilitating migration. Either through state-led efforts as
which the ‘guestworkers’, or through recruitment agencies and other migration intermediaries. Latter =
part of a burgeoning ‘migration industry’, whose room for manoeuvre has expanded as a result of
labour market deregulation.
Relevance of historical-structural and dual labour market theories (chapter 3): states have played
central role in shaping migration patterns, directly (immigration policies + recruitment practices), as
well as indirectly (‘non-migration’ policies affecting economic growth, inequality, labour markets and
social security).
Dual labour market theory = useful to understand why labour migration to EU has continued even in
times of economic crisis and rising unemployment.
Decades of migration have contributed to the ‘racialization’ of particular labour market segments
(low-skilled and often informal jobs in agriculture, construction, catering, cleaning and care)
What is the ‘labour frontier’?
Chapter 12: Migrants and Minorities in the Labour Force
Importance of lower- and higher-skilled migrant labour for advanced and emerging economies.
, Economic restructuring and demographic change increased the demand for immigrant labour,
contributing to multi-layered geographical patters, with lower-skilled workers from low-income
economies moving to middle-income economies, and lower-skilled workers from middle-income
countries predominantly moving to high-income economies, while higher-skilled workers tend to be
more mobile and migrate over larger distances following geographically more dispersed patterns.
Additional labour is provided by lower- and higher-skilled workers at a time of high sector-specific
demand resulting from economic, demographic and social shifts.
Unattractive jobs often not done by native workers, but are being taken by migrants > they improve a
major improvement in pay and prospects compared to opportunities back home. Thus: migration helps
to maintain labour market flexibility, encourage investment and economic growth. During recession,
migrants also function as a buffer (they are the first to be dismissed).
Lower-skilled migrants in informal sectors often experience exploitation and abuse.
Migrant workers now have service jobs, some of them in higher-skilled positions (such as doctors,
nurses, engineers and teachers), but often in such sectors as cleaning, catering, domestic work and
care.
- During post-1945 boom: discrimination, unequal rights, subordinate jobs, many migrants
lacked education and vocational training thus entered labour market at low levels.
- Since 1980s-1990s: situation became much more diverse, partly as result of shift to service-
based economies.
New international division of labour: migrant workers play important and increasingly varies roles.
= due to shift to neoliberal policies, deregulation of labour markers and economic restructuring. This
led to:
- Increasing demand for higher-skilled workers in service sector
- Made the position of lower-skilled migrants more difficult
Stable employment within large-scale enterprises has in many cases been replaced by a variety of
work arrangements that differentiate and separate workers along ethnic, class, education and gender
lines. Temporary and causal employment, chains of subcontracting, informalization and new forms of
labour market segmentation affect both native and migrant workers.
Human Rights:
Most vulnerable groups: migrant women, undocumented workers, ethnic and racial minorities. They
tend to end up in the most precarious positions. Deprivation of human and workers rights for groups
that lack legal status and market power seems to be an integral aspect of all advanced and emerging
industrial economies today.
The relevance of citizenship is particularly clear with regard to the right to cross national borders, and
to work and take up residence in destination countries.
Rich states compete with each other to attract highly skilled workers, fee-paying students and the
wealthy, but take measures to prevent legal entry and access to rights of lower-skilled workers.
Many migrants have irregular status due to continuous demand for lower-skilled workers in
agriculture, construction, manufacturing and the services. it is a question for debate whether such
situations of illegality are willingly tolerated to create a vulnerable workforce that is easy to exploit, or
whether this is the accidental by-product of misguided immigration policies led by short-term interests
of employees.
Chapter 6: Migration in Europe since 1945
After WWII: large-scale immigration = structural feature of EU societies and economies.
Transformation of EU from region of mass emigration in 19/20th century, to region of large-scale
inflows from diverse array of countries.
Reasons for mass migration to EU:
1. Recruitment of ‘guestworkers’ and demand for migrant labour because of demographic
transitions, economic transformations and related growth of dual labour markets
2. Decolonization processes; particularly in UK, France, Netherlands and Russia
3. Dismantling of West European and Soviet empires between 1945-1991 = postcolonial
migration reversal. Became dominant over time and contributed to the increasing diversity of
EU destination countries
4. The fall of Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dismantling of communist regimes in Central +
Eastern Europe
5. Collapse of Soviet Union 1991: Russia evolved into second-most popular migration
destination in EU
Schengen Area 1995 + EU expansion stimulated migration within expanding European migration
systems. It did not replace non-European immigration, which only kept on increasing = paradox:
creation of an open border area has not led to massive internal migration, while external border
controls were not able to curb rising legal immigration of non-EU and non-European citizens.
Important: the above proves that migration needs to be seen as an intrinsic part of broader processes
and development and socioeconomic transformation.
Fundamental processes of structural change such as decolonization, demographic ageing, the shift
from industrial to service sector jobs, and the growing importance of precarious labour in increasingly
segmented labour markets have created the conditions for large-scale immigration to occur.
Active labour recruitment = crucial role in facilitating migration. Either through state-led efforts as
which the ‘guestworkers’, or through recruitment agencies and other migration intermediaries. Latter =
part of a burgeoning ‘migration industry’, whose room for manoeuvre has expanded as a result of
labour market deregulation.
Relevance of historical-structural and dual labour market theories (chapter 3): states have played
central role in shaping migration patterns, directly (immigration policies + recruitment practices), as
well as indirectly (‘non-migration’ policies affecting economic growth, inequality, labour markets and
social security).
Dual labour market theory = useful to understand why labour migration to EU has continued even in
times of economic crisis and rising unemployment.
Decades of migration have contributed to the ‘racialization’ of particular labour market segments
(low-skilled and often informal jobs in agriculture, construction, catering, cleaning and care)
What is the ‘labour frontier’?
Chapter 12: Migrants and Minorities in the Labour Force
Importance of lower- and higher-skilled migrant labour for advanced and emerging economies.
, Economic restructuring and demographic change increased the demand for immigrant labour,
contributing to multi-layered geographical patters, with lower-skilled workers from low-income
economies moving to middle-income economies, and lower-skilled workers from middle-income
countries predominantly moving to high-income economies, while higher-skilled workers tend to be
more mobile and migrate over larger distances following geographically more dispersed patterns.
Additional labour is provided by lower- and higher-skilled workers at a time of high sector-specific
demand resulting from economic, demographic and social shifts.
Unattractive jobs often not done by native workers, but are being taken by migrants > they improve a
major improvement in pay and prospects compared to opportunities back home. Thus: migration helps
to maintain labour market flexibility, encourage investment and economic growth. During recession,
migrants also function as a buffer (they are the first to be dismissed).
Lower-skilled migrants in informal sectors often experience exploitation and abuse.
Migrant workers now have service jobs, some of them in higher-skilled positions (such as doctors,
nurses, engineers and teachers), but often in such sectors as cleaning, catering, domestic work and
care.
- During post-1945 boom: discrimination, unequal rights, subordinate jobs, many migrants
lacked education and vocational training thus entered labour market at low levels.
- Since 1980s-1990s: situation became much more diverse, partly as result of shift to service-
based economies.
New international division of labour: migrant workers play important and increasingly varies roles.
= due to shift to neoliberal policies, deregulation of labour markers and economic restructuring. This
led to:
- Increasing demand for higher-skilled workers in service sector
- Made the position of lower-skilled migrants more difficult
Stable employment within large-scale enterprises has in many cases been replaced by a variety of
work arrangements that differentiate and separate workers along ethnic, class, education and gender
lines. Temporary and causal employment, chains of subcontracting, informalization and new forms of
labour market segmentation affect both native and migrant workers.
Human Rights:
Most vulnerable groups: migrant women, undocumented workers, ethnic and racial minorities. They
tend to end up in the most precarious positions. Deprivation of human and workers rights for groups
that lack legal status and market power seems to be an integral aspect of all advanced and emerging
industrial economies today.
The relevance of citizenship is particularly clear with regard to the right to cross national borders, and
to work and take up residence in destination countries.
Rich states compete with each other to attract highly skilled workers, fee-paying students and the
wealthy, but take measures to prevent legal entry and access to rights of lower-skilled workers.
Many migrants have irregular status due to continuous demand for lower-skilled workers in
agriculture, construction, manufacturing and the services. it is a question for debate whether such
situations of illegality are willingly tolerated to create a vulnerable workforce that is easy to exploit, or
whether this is the accidental by-product of misguided immigration policies led by short-term interests
of employees.
