Policy pointers

• Author: Biletta, Isabella; Vanderleyden, Julie; Brandsma, Nils; Weber, Tina
• Pages: 21-22

21

Action should be taken on three fronts to

improve both the quality of work available for,

and the employment of, workers with a foreign

background: integration, job quality and

discrimination.

£There is a clear need for a nuanced

approach to policymaking regarding the

working lives of workers with a foreign

background. The region of origin, reason

for and context of migration have to be

taken into account. The differences

between first- and second-generation

migrant workers must be addressed, as

they do not face the same types of

difficulties. While the second generation

outperforms the first generation in many

aspects of work, they still struggle in

regard to some working conditions,

demonstrating that the passage of time is

insufficient to ensure enhanced labour

market outcomes for people with a foreign

background and underlining the need for

targeted interventions. Specific emphasis

is also required on the effective integration

of women with a foreign background, who

face even deeper labour market gender

segregation than native women.

£While improving job quality is important

for all workers, several features of the

working conditions of first-generation

migrant workers – men and women – raise

concern. A particular issue is the

overrepresentation of the male first

generation among workers on temporary

contracts and the overrepresentation of

the female first generation among those

on contracts other than permanent or

fixed-term or on no contract.

£Effective allocation of human capital goes

beyond ensuring that migrants find

employment; it also requires that such

employment be commensurate with the

qualifications and needs of migrants to

allow them to integrate into wider society.

Policy pointers