Labour migration: Commission and Member States advance cooperation through new platform
The EU is working to reduce the unfilled vacancy rate among the 27 member states
On 10 January Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, hosted the first meeting of the Labour Migration Platform with representatives from Member States specialising in migration and employment policy, as well as European Social and Economic Partners. The platform was set up to advance labour migration to the EU with the goal of attracting much needed skills and talent from non-EU countries.
Many companies in the EU are struggling to find workers with the necessary skills in key sectors. As Member States face these acute labour and skills shortages, for example in the healthcare and information technology sectors, this new platform will help tackle the issue. Current demographic trends leading to an ageing and shrinking working population in the EU will increase these shortages in the future. One measure that can contribute to overcome this challenge is well-managed labour migration.
At the meeting, the participants discussed labour market challenges, exchanged best practices regarding labour migration and the most effective tools to attract skilled workers to the EU. The Platform will also support setting up the Skills and Talent Package initiatives and actions proposed in the European Year of Skills.
The Labour Migration Platform will meet on a regular basis to enhance cooperation and progress in the area of labour migration to the EU. Depending on the topics discussed, relevant experts and organisations will be asked to join in addition to Commission and Member States' representatives. The aim will be to learn from each other and advancing together.
