EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Call for research on migrant women in the EU labour market

Call for research on migrant women in the EU labour market

30-08-2006

The European Commission calls for a study on "The role of migrant women in the labour market: current situation and future prospects". The study should describe the current status of migrant women in the labour market, examine how to improve the participation of migrant women in the labour market and offer suggestions on how to integrate these labour market policies in existing immigration and integration policies. The deadline for submitting proposals is 16 October 2006.

For some time now, the contribution of immigration to the EU labour market has been a high issue on the EU agenda in the light of economic and social challenges faced by the European Union and other industrialized regions in the context of globalisation, increased competition between regions to attract investment, work and labour and of development related issues.

There is ample evidence that migrant women are generally in a disadvantaged position in the labour market in relation to both male migrants and native women. Changes in women's migration patterns, their role and place in our labour markets and societies have been rather neglected in the migration debate. Existing instruments and policies do not necessarily take into account migrant women's specific economic and social needs.

The study has the following three objectives:

to present a picture of the extent of migrant women's representation in the labour markets in the European Union, its evolution over time and of the characteristics of individuals – with the overall female population as benchmark;
to investigate how labour market participation of migrant women in the European Union can be improved;
to give pointers on how to better integrate the gender dimension in integration and immigration policies.

More specific, the study should answer the following five questions related to the labour market integration of migrant women:

What are the patterns of migrant women's position on the EU labour markets across the EU and what are the explaining factors?
To what extent do migrant women suffer from a "double disadvantage" (relating to non-migrant women and to migrant men) in the labour market and what are the underlying factors?
How homogeneous and stable is the distribution of migrant female labour across sectors of employment within the EU, how can it be explained and what does it mean for EU future needs and for a better integration?
How common and persistent is poorer labour market integration of skilled migrant women across the EU Member States and what lessons can be drawn from relevant measures and policies (including migration schemes)?
What has been the role of legislation, policies and programmes (related to migration, labour market and integration) in supporting labour market participation of migrant women?

Source: DG Employment

Links
More information on the Call can be found on the DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities website

back