Experts: Migrant workers contribute more than they get

MEPs' questions were answered by two experts, Norbert Cyrus of the University of Oldenburg in Germany and Alessio Cangiano, a demographer working with the UK Centre of Migration, Policy and Society on 'Migration Management'. 

Cangiano explained that Australia and Canada apply a so-called 'points system', where workers have to collect a certain amount of rating points on the basis of their personal characteristics (such as profession, language competence or family members in the host country) to be admitted to the labour market. He said that "highly-skilled workers actually contribute more to social security systems than they get" and that there is also a growing demand for low-skilled migrant workers in agriculture, hospitality and social services. However, he said that migration is only a short term solution to compensate for the decline in working-age population.  

Cyrus said he would favour a more "demand-driven" approach over the present "supply-driven" selection: Immigrants should be granted a residence and work permit only after being offered a job in the host country. After a certain "trial period" they should be allowed to shift from temporary to permanent immigration.  

Hubert Krieger of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) said: "Europe should learn from the experiences of some member states who introduced in previous years so-called 'guest worker' programmes without taking into account that the migrants would stay. He added that the job and career offered in the host country should reflect the migrant's qualifications and competences in order to prevent both a loss of income and status for the migrant as well as reduced wealth and competitiveness for the host society.