Immigrants’ labour market status in Western Europe
The EU-funded IM-IT (Integration of Immigrants in Western European Countries: A Comparative Sociology Perspective) project has shed new light on the issues involved in the labour market integration of immigrants, focusing on two key aspects: labour force status and attainment of occupational status. According to project coordinator, Dr Anastasia Gorodzeisky, ‘The research considered first- and second-generation immigrants of both European and non-European origin residing in Belgium, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom (as well as in a combined category of nine Western European countries).’ Effects of immigrant origin and generation Findings show that ‘whereas the likelihood of becoming economically active and finding employment is influenced by region of origin – not only among first-generation immigrants, but also among offspring of immigrants – the likelihood of attaining a high-status job is influenced mostly by immigrant status itself,’ explains Dr Gorodzeisky. Generally, the results indicate that ‘a sizable proportion of non-European origin immigrants and their descendants, both men and women, face substantial difficulties in integrating into the labour market of Western European countries,’ stresses Dr Gorodzeisky. However, immigrants of European origin, and especially their offspring, appear to experience less difficulty incorporating into the labour force than non-Europeans. Role of trade unions’ attitudes and agency in migrant integration Further research examined the relationship between trade union movements and migrant workers in Europe. Project research shows that ‘migrant workers who may be in greatest need of union representation because of their vulnerable status lag behind local workers in their rate of unionisation in all countries.’ Yet, the institutional position of unions affects the rates of migrant workers’ unionisation relative to those of local workers. This underscores a role for the unions’ agency in determining their own strategies for renewal and revival as well as fulfilling their potential as crucial actors in migrant workers’ integration in host societies. Second, the empirical results of IM-IT research support its theoretical argument that unionised workers express more positive views regarding immigration and immigrants than non-unionised workers. ‘Unions’ members’ attitudes towards immigrants and immigration are a potentially important factor shaping unions’ strategies,’ says Dr Gorodzeisky. Project outreach and dissemination of research results IM-IT research findings have been presented in scientific conferences in Israel, the Netherlands and the United States. Further, they have been incorporated in university undergraduate and graduate courses, and published in scientific peer-reviewed journals. Specifically, on research related to trade union membership among migrant workers in Europe, Dr Gorodzeisky has co-authored three papers with Professor Richards (Carlos III University, Spain), two of which have already been published in the European Journal of Industrial Relations. Regarding research on immigrants’ labour market incorporation, the project coordinator collaborated with Professor Semyonov (Tel Aviv University), leading to one publication in PLOS ONE and the working paper ‘Labor force participation among immigrants in 10 western European countries: Generation, gender and ethnicity.’ Other relevant research papers are also available online here and here. Continuing in the spirit of IM-IT, future research plans focus on ‘the relationship between children’s age at migration and their educational and labour market outcomes [and] anti-immigrant attitudes and their sources,’ concludes Dr Gorodzeisky. Project work and findings are useful for social scientists and policymakers given that the difficulties immigrants of non-European origin, even second-generation, face in finding employment may have significant consequences for future ethnic relations and social solidarity in Europe.
Keywords
Immigrants, western Europe, ethnic origin, IM-IT, labour market incorporation, trade unions
