Around 10,000 people are expected to attend the Brussels event, which will gather more than 60 employers in the Berlaymont building, at the heart of institutional Europe.
The event is part of a wider initiative supported by DG Employment. Now in its third annual edition, it aims to raise awareness of the benefits of job mobility within the EU. During September and October, 500 job fairs, workshops and information sessions will provide spaces for employers and jobseekers to meet in 250 different European cities.
Only a very small fraction of the European working-age population takes advantage of the right to free mobility of labour: 2.2% of the total workforce. Although this figure is slightly higher than a few years ago, it is not enough to cover work shortages in economically stronger areas or to contribute to the battle against unemployment in weaker ones. At the same time, the share of third-country nationals among the EU labour force has indeed been rising more quickly, and is currently estimated to be 3.8%.
Most Europeans are reluctant to leave their native regions to look for job opportunities in another EU country: "They are afraid of losing their social network away from home and of not being able to find a job," a Commission official explained at a press conference. Languages also represent a key barrier.
Those who do move are predominantly young, well-educated and well-qualified to look for opportunities. Mobility rates are higher in the newer member states, but also in Portugal and Ireland. Ireland is however a net recipient of migrants, and, together with the UK and Luxembourg, one of the most popular destinations.
Ireland, UK and Sweden were the only member states not to introduce transitional measures for EU newcomers during the 2004 enlargement. Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Germany all still apply restrictions. By April 2009, these member states are expected to report to the Commission and announce whether they wish to continue with transitional rules.
Last year's Brussels event led to over 1,000 recruitments, roughly one in ten participants. While around half of the jobseekers came from the Brussels international scene and were looking for employment in the European capital, one in four positions advertised at the event were actually based outside Belgium.
