Exploring Migration

Since the Schengen Agreement of 1985, free movement of persons within Europe, has become a fundamental right for European Union citizens, though this wasn’t achieved easily with countries imposing their own restrictions on the movement of labour or lack thereof. For those that didn’t such as the UK, there was an outcry that migrants most notably from Eastern Europe though would provide low cost labour, would also leave home grown talent at a disadvantage while simultaneously putting a strain on national services such as healthcare and education.

MYTHS AND SCAREMONGERING

The various bones of contention surrounding migration arise very often, particularly in the current climate of austerity. Even the go-to guys are split on the matter; recent findings by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) found that immigration has no impact on unemployment. Their findings are antagonized by Migration Watch UK, who claim that since the former Soviet-bloc countries joined the EU, it would something of a “remarkable coincidence” if there was no relationship between the influx of Eastern European workers and rising levels of youth unemployment.

Similar sentiments are also echoed on the continent. Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) has launched a website, inviting people to publicly criticize Polish, Romanian and Bulgarian nationals for their combined efforts, as he sees it, to sabotage Dutch society. The site has courted a fair amount of controversy; in response the EPP Group have unreservedly denounced the initiative, Luc Vandeputte, Deputy Secretary General of the European People’s Party, describes the very essence of it as “appalling and gruesome.” Publishing vitriolic content is certainly nothing new; the shock factor is largely in action here. The Internet is notoriously difficult to regulate as such the simplicity with which online platforms can be created has given rise to the negative attitudes surrounding migration and even worse played a significant role in recruiting others to think in such dogmatic ways.

The term ‘migrant’ is not a one-size-fits-all model readily applicable to any person that should find themselves for one reason or another on foreign shores. The more sinister use of the term sees the migrant being blamed for depleting countries of their vital resources such as welfare support, a view widely purported in sensationalist media. Apart from the obvious enrichment that other cultures bring, migration boosts economic growth and encourages innovation, making the rhetoric a reality. Migration is crucial in maintaining competitiveness. Dublin’s position as the technology hub of Europe, being home to the European offices of Twitter, Microsoft among other technology giants is a prime example of the need to attract highly skilled, talented individuals with backgrounds including computer science, engineering, communications and languages.

THE ROLE OF THE EU

Perhaps the route to take in fostering healthy migration and principally healthy views of migration lies in strengthening transnational projects. Consider migrant students, or more eloquently put Erasmus programme students. Living and working abroad has become popular amongst many young Europeans. A myriad of university degrees have sandwiched such a year within courses, equally, as far as vocational training goes the Leonardo Da Vinci programme actively supports European mobility. Initiatives like these go a long way in creating a pan-European identity, familiarizing cultures and traditions with a view to harmonize them.

Europe needs to move forward as a unified continent that respects and tolerates different cultures while embracing transnational identity. A hard ask if there ever was one, however, there is much more to be gained in the movement of people from one place to another than to be lost. Whether EU citizens feel as though migration policies are failing, or even that the European Union itself is stretching far beyond its means, respecting a nation’s culture should not be reason to alienate the migrant population of that country.

Negative attitudes towards migration cannot be obliterated overnight. If European governments are ever to achieve their goals of integration within Europe, politicians and citizens alike need to be pro-active in understanding the issues that come with migration. 
In order to stem the ever developing anxiety over this issue, the EU must put more emphasis on strengthening relationships in communities; a move which would tackle the perceived discontents attached to migration more appropriately.