VOICE OF THE
WORKERS ISSUE 15 APRIL 2014
EDITOR’S NOTE JOSEF VELLA
Contents
Right step towards the future 02 The movement of workers: What is it about? 03 Facilitating Worker Mobility
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Promoting worker mobility in the EU 08 Worker Mobility: Costs vs Benefits 09 Worker Mobility Issues across the European Union
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Freedom vs Hobson’s choice WELCOME TO ISSUE NUMBER 15 OF THE VOICE OF THE WORKER MAGAZINE Environmentalist Roger Tory Peterson once said, “Birds have wings; they’re free; they can fly where they want when they want. They have the kind of mobility many people envy”. Being flexible enough to move from one place to another has its distinct advantages. The possibility of worker mobility within the European Union is, in principle, is one of the advantages of having the possibility of free movement. It enhances skill transfer, better conditions and pay, as well as cross-cultural communication. However, the economic crisis as well as economic and social disparity, gave another definition to worker mobility. Workers took advantage of the possibility of free movement to escape VOICE OF THE
WORKERS
poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunity. This was the case with young people. However, since a lot of EU states were having issues with youth unemployment, many workers either had to turn back, or were stuck without the possibility of any real alternatives. This gave rise to low paid, precarious work, as well as exploitation. Much more can be done to improve the situation. Workers should be moving between different states and regions for the right reasons. And having no choice is not a good reason. On a national level, we need to make sure that our workers have all the skills and training necessary to enable them to be
flexible to labour market needs. This will avoid the scenario of ‘no choice’ mobility, that will turn into migration. On a European level, states need to work more together. The Conference on Youth Unemployment organized by the UHM a few days ago, brought together delegates from the workers’ sector in twelve European States. We had the opportunity to learn from each other, and discuss ways of how these issues can be handled. Worker mobility, unemployment, economic p-erformance and social issues cannot be tackled on their own as if they are mutually exclusive. We need to be wise and proactive. It is here that we can really take advantage of beneficial worker mobility. Enjoy! 1