(18 September 2014) The Social Partners in Local and Regional Government have adopted guidelines on strengthening migration and anti-discrimination in local and regional government in their meeting on 17 September 2014.
The social partners in local and regional government ask for a broader policy of social inclusion and diversity but with a particular emphasis in strengthening the inclusion of migrants into the workplace.
The social partners would like to take responsibility at European level to strengthen the inclusion of migrants into the workplace by disseminating and implementing these guidelines to help promoting workplace strategies and employment for migrant workers to combat racism, discrimination and xenophobia towards migrant workers.
“Migration offers major benefits to local and regional governments and cities: not only in terms of the economic and demographic effects but also by enriching them culturally and opening them up to the world. Local Authorities, regions and cities become more and more diverse due to increased migration. The diversity can be characterized in nationality, ethnic origin, religions belief and culture,” as stated in the guidelines.
Additionally, Local and Regional Government are mindful of immigration in order to develop and generate employment, economic and social innovation. The most dynamic local and regional governments are often those who attract the most migrants and integrate them successfully. Not adapting to these developments in terms of integrating the migrants in society and at the workplace pose serious problems and risks of stagnation for local and regional governments.
The local level is where integration really takes place and therefore local and regional governments as authorities and employers in close cooperation with trade unions play a central role in integrating them: fostering integration into the labour market and make aware of migrants’ rights in terms of public services and working rights.
This text was adopted under the Framework of Action for Restructuring in Local and Regional Government that included a recommendation on more joint social partner action on the integration of migrant workers at workplace level.
The Framework of Action includes recommendation to contribute to a social and sustainable local and regional Europe that supports the public sector as an employer. The overarching objective is to better prepare Local and Regional governments as employers’ and their employees for future scenarios of its workplace.
- Log in to post comments