Activities of Josef WEIDENHOLZER related to 2012/2131(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination (debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination
Amendments (16)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. When discussing new immigration, orkforce mobility is not sufficient to refer to a shortage of labour in the EU and an ageing European population. Ian important and valuable ingredient isn also necessary to ascertain the maximum absorption capacity of the EU Member States for new immigration. In many Member States, particularly in Western Europe, that capacity has already long since been exceeded. Moreover, then increasingly globalised society, which owes its prosperity to trade in goods and services and the substantial contribution made by migrants; fairst priority should be to seek to find employment for the foreigners already present, rather than allowing new immigrants to swell their ranks participation in the labour market is a basic precondition for integration.
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. It is counterfactual to present new immigration as something which only confers benefits. Recent research in the Netherlands1 estimates the cost of immigration to be at least €7 billion per annum. The arrival of unskilled new immigrants, in particular, imposes a heavy burden on social security systems. Meanwhile, such schemes as family reunification and immigration for purposes of study are clearly abused to provide an extra channel for immigratConsiders that entry and residence must be governed by clear, fair and non- discriminatory rules which must conform to the standards of the rule of law at national and EU level; entry criteria must be readily comprehensible and have long- term validity; long-term residence entitlement in the foreseeable future is a key prospect as far as integration is concerned; language proficiency is important and should be encouraged and supported but not used as a selection or penalty criterion.
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – footnote 1
Paragraph 2 – footnote 1
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. It cannot be the intention that people from outside the EU should have the opportunity to use study here as a means of immigration, or that the EU should deprive third countries of their educated people. The EU should ensure that people who study here subsequently place the knowledge they have gained at the service of the development of their country of origin.Takes the view that the principle of free movement of persons should be applied, inter alia, to help the internal market to function properly; people who have come to live in the European Union should be able to claim throughout the Union the social and labour-law entitlements which they have accumulated during their working lives;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. It is necessary to distinguish clearly between legal and illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants voluntarily opt to ignore the law, and should therefore be identified and deported. Any attempt to argue in favour of supporting and regularising illegal migraRegards integration measures at local, regional and national level as an important point of departure; considers that there is therefore a need for non- discriminatory access to social insurance and health systems and for support measures aimed at specific target groups in education; the complaints uandermines democratic acceptance of the presence of migrants in the EU. advisory systems which exist to combat discrimination, with specific powers to impose penalties, should be fully developed and well equipped in all Member States;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that successful integration also comprises participation in political decision-making processes: in particular, participation in society by migrants should be promoted; advocates, therefore, expanding the scope for participation in society and for political codetermination for people with a migrant background, and encouraging them to take advantage of such opportunities;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Recalls that integration is a continuous two way process requiring the involvement of both third country nationals and the host society. Welcomes the many good practice examples, across the EU, of the integration of migrants, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, often through projects carried out by local authorities, who play a key role in delivering on integration objectives.
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Observes that, in many Member States, insufficient efforts are made to integrate migrants and that targeted efforts are therefore still required from the authorities; this is also attributable to an erroneous approach: migrants are primarily portrayed as a security risk; the positive opportunities are perceived far too little; in many cases, therefore, qualifications obtained in the home country are not recognised nearly as much as they should be;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Recalls the EU's Common basic Principles on Immigrants Integration (CBPs). Regrets that Member States are not currently using the European Integration Fund to its full potential, and recalls that the aim of the fund is to support Member State's actions to implement the CBPs.
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Stresses that it is not appropriate to exploit the subject of labour migration to frighten the public; notes that preconceived notions due to prejudice and resentment undermine the solidarity which forms the basis of society, and that populist exploitation of the subject should therefore be strongly rejected;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Recalls the importance of voting rights, particularly at the local level for migrants as an important tool for integration and active citizenship; is concerned by the political under representation of minorities at all levels of government, including at Member State level and in the European Parliament.
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4 d. Deplores the desperate situation of undocumented migrants and failed asylum seekers in the EU, many of whom are destitute, and calls for solutions to be found, in full respect of the fundamental rights of those concerned. Notes that undocumented migrants have very few prospects for integration and that opening up channels for regularisation would improve integration prospects.
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4 e. Recalls that around half of the EU's migrants are women. An independent migration status for women and the right to work for spouses are crucial elements to ensure effective integration.
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 f (new)
Paragraph 4 f (new)
4 f. Regrets recent changes to the 'right to nationality at birth' legislation in some Member States which is increasing cases of statelessness in the EU.
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 g (new)
Paragraph 4 g (new)
4 g. Recalls the important role of the mass media in shaping public opinion on immigration and integration, and calls for responsible journalism to foster mutual respect and understanding of each others similarities and differences.