The Financial and Economic Crisis and Migration Policy in European Countries: A Revival of Labour Issues?

Abstract

This paper looks at changes in migration policies as a response to the 2008 financial and economic crisis and at governance issues. Countries in Europe opted to make new immigration more difficult, protect labour markets for native-born workers, clamp down on migrants in irregular situations and encourage the return of migrant workers. Clear patterns or reasons for variation in policy responses are not discernible, but it is safe to say that only countries with a significant recent influx of migrants have taken high profile measures at all. The crisis has highlighted labour market issues, and migrants are now increasingly portrayed as economic agents instead of security threats. This offers room for the State to assert its protective role vis-à-vis of migrant workers. The analysis has an International Relations/Political Economy perspective and is largely based on (official) news releases and secondary sources.