Practical measures

for Reducing Irregular Migration

Main findings of the Italian studyParis

29 November 2011

Italy, a former emigration country, nowadays hosts 4,500,000 regular migrants.

But Italy is also an important gate for irregular and unauthorized migration flows

Geographic factors:proximity with less developed and unstable areasextension and accessibility of sea bordersintermediary position-”gate” to Europe

Economic factors underground economystructural demand for foreign workers (mainly low-skilled) 2

Eurostat statistics

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National approach looking for a balance between favouring regular migration and combating irregular flows

PRE-ENTRYInterventions in third countries– Development cooperation– Information campaigns– Framework cooperation agreements concerning

employment– Quota system - migration flows planning

Police-cooperation

The quota for non seasonal workers is divided in two sub-categories:

1.Quota reserved for specific work-sectors (for instance: autonomous work, domestic works, etc.)

2.Preferential Quotas (PQ) for third countries, who have signed a readmission agreement with Italy.

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Incidence: Preferential Quota (PQ)

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Year % PQ/total

1998 10,3

1999 10,3

2000 21,1

2001 16,8

2002 17,6

2003 4,8

2004 25,7

2005 21,1

2006 7,0

2007 18,9

2008 19,4

2010 29,1

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In ‘90s flows were not managed and Italy feared

an invasion (R. King’s “albanophobia”)

First decade 2000:Over half million of residents (settlement).

Still high migration pressure, but nowadays flows are managed

Improved popular perception (“albanophilia”)End of 2010:

Financial crisis repercussion on building sector Several thousands could not renew the stay

permit. Ismu foundation estimates 50/60 thousands

irregulars (Jan 2010)

The Albanian Case

Refus Appr.

2001 11.693 13.4312008 355 3 6352009 435 2 8752010 575 2 820

Regular. Incidence

1995 12.7%

1998 18.0%

2002 7.9%

2009 3.8%

Police cooperation (from Alba mission to the present trainings)

Development cooperation (4° ODA beneficiary in 2009)

Information campaigns (Uams, at consulates, etc)

Support to Albanian Strategy for Migration (2005)

Training abroad to facilitate integration in the annual quotas (2008)

Employment oriented agreement (signed in 2008, renewed in 2011)

Ministry of labour coordination office (since 2011)

Readmission agreement (1997) and Privileged Quotas (1998)

Despite very effective efforts, it’s still valid the need of competent policies to reduce irregular migration

Pre-entry practical measures

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

3 000 3 000 6 000 6 000 3 000 1 000 3 000 3 000 4 500 4 500 4 500 - 4 500 -

Conclusions

• The case of Italy shows that irregular migration can be channeled into regular paths and a positive integration in the society and labour market can be achieved;

• However, regular channels not always exhaust irregular flows as shown by the several regularizations that took place in Italy;

• It is difficult to draw conclusions in such a complex period, but an exhaustive overview on practical measures implemented by MSs represents a necessary starting point: and this is the role of the EMN.

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Thank you for your attention!

Practical measures to reduce irregular migration

PATHWAYS OUT OF IRREGULARITY

• Regularisations• Assisted Voluntary Return

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Number of migrants granted legal status, by area of origin

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