Poverty and Labour Migration in the EU
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What we know
Migration out of Poverty and Labour Migration in the EU
The freedom of movement for workers is one of the core freedoms of the Single European Market and forms a foundation of the European Economic and Monetary Union. The EU Freedom of Movement Law comprises four freedoms, 1. the freedom to travel, 2. the freedom of services, 3. the freedom of establishment, and 4. the freedom of movement for workers. EU-citizens, consequently, can move to another country within the European Union and search for work there. Regarding access to employment, working conditions, social benefits and tax benefits, they have a right to equal treatment, just as the citizens of the host country. Immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria are currently at the centre of attention because their numbers have risen and, as they have been EU members since 2014, they have the full rights of free movement of the Single European Market. The debate on possible poverty migration from Romania and Bulgaria focuses primarily on the situation of the Roma from both countries, who it will possibly will be challenging to integrate into the labour market in the future and therefore can become a burden to the welfare state. The problem of poverty migration poses itself especially in those member states whose economic and social development is far below the average of the EU states. Strategies against poverty migration are, on the one hand, to improve the economic and social conditions in the weak countries through targeted help by the EU and, on the other hand, to further develop the integration of immigrants into the communities through financial support.
