Although Europe needs worker mobility, new figures show that fewer than 2 per cent of EU citizens work abroad, writes Martin Territt.
Today the European Commission is launching the European Year of Workers' Mobility.
In today's world, work is mobile - workers need to be mobile too. Only then can supply match demand in the labour market. The principal aim of the European Year of Workers' Mobility is to increase people's awareness of the rights and opportunities for workers interested in changing job or moving abroad.
As a nation, we are well accustomed to migration. Our history has been shaped by large-scale forced migration. We have our spáilpíns, our potato-pickers, our navvies, a diaspora born of economic want.
Now, of course, the nation is confronted with significant net immigration, returning cash-rich Irish, fellow-citizens from the newer EU member states, and people from much farther afield.
The vast majority are coming here to find gainful employment in a burgeoning economy, especially in the diverse services sector. A new Eurobarometer study published today to coincide with the launch of the European Year shows that most people who have experienced working in a different country say they have benefited greatly from the experience. It opens the door to new skills, new cultural influences, new languages and new working environments.
Yet the figures show that overall, very few Europeans work abroad and many of them have not changed employer for many years. Fewer than 2 per cent of EU citizens work abroad, and 40 per cent of employees have been working for the same employer for 10 years or more. This is despite the fact that mobility in the EU is needed to match labour supply and demand. Europe is facing a combination of skills shortages, bottlenecks and unemployment.
While there is high unemployment in some regions and sectors, there is a shortage of skills and labour in others. According to Eurostat's analysis, several regions of the EU will, assuming annual employment growth rates of 1 to 2 per cent, face large deficits of skilled labour by 2010 unless they have significant inflows of labour.
The situation in Ireland is even more acute given its continuing phenomenal growth patterns. Demand for skills covers a broad range of sectors including construction, finance, engineering, information technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and sales. There are labour shortages in the financial, services, food manufacturing, healthcare, sales, agriculture, forestry and fishing areas.
On behalf of the European Commission, I welcome the recent debate in Ireland about migration. It has largely been conducted in a constructive manner and generally free from pejorative or jingoism.
Most of those contributing have recognised the fundamental aim of the European Union since the original Treaty of Rome, to allow every EU citizen the right to work and live in another member state without being discriminated against on grounds of nationality.
The recent, hugely beneficial, inflow of migrant workers, especially from the new member states formerly haunted by Soviet repression, clearly poses challenges on many fronts. But Ireland will have to get accustomed to that, just as many countries had to adjust to Irish émigrés in past times. After all, while we are 25 member states of the EU, we have one passport and a common European citizenship.
The European Commission's recent report has shown that the inflow of workers from the new member states has been positive, helping to relieve labour shortages and contributing to Ireland's economic success.
As yet there seems to be no empirical evidence to show that the very low level of unemployment among the indigenous Irish labour force is on the increase as a result of displacement by migration.
The EU has taken many initiatives to facilitate mobility of workers - from the co-ordination of social security systems to a European health insurance card; from promoting the portability of pensions to protecting workers posted in another member state. But a lot remains to be done to encourage mobility in the EU, that is not only crucial for the economy and employers but also offers huge benefits to workers.
While some have expressed fears and uncertainty about a future where workers are more mobile, we must remember that it is not a question of choosing between mobility and security. On the contrary, mobility for workers at certain stages of a career can contribute to the creation of more and better jobs. Indeed, the improvements currently being made by the services directive will bring benefits not just for business and consumers, but also in terms of positive workers' mobility.
This year will offer a wide discussion platform where ideas and good practice will be exchanged. Hundreds of events will take place throughout the EU at local, regional and national levels.
On March 8th, as our contribution to the debate, my representation will host a wide-ranging seminar devoted to migration and mobility issues. The year is expected to play an important role in raising the visibility of mobility issues and bringing about major policy advances.
Martin Territt is director of the European Commission's representation in Ireland. More information on the European Year of Workers' Mobility can be accessed at www.europa.eu