The Economic Crisis and Labour Migration Policy in European Countries

Abstract: This paper reviews changes in migration policies as a response to the 2008 fi nancial and economic crisis and examines issues of migration governance. Countries in Europe opted to make new immigration more diffi cult, protected their labour markets for native born workers, encouraged the return of migrant workers and intensifi ed efforts to curb irregular migration. Clear patterns or reasons for vari-ation in policy responses are not discernible, but it is safe to say that only countries with a signifi cant recent infl ux of migrants have taken high profi le measures at all. The crisis has led to a shift in perspective of the State and its role in economics which is now seen as useful instead of undesired. Previously prevailing neo-liberal thought relegated the State to the “high politics ” of sovereignty and security issues. The crisis has highlighted labour market issues, and migrants are now increasingly portrayed as economic agents instead of security threats. This offers room for the State to assert its protective role vis-à-vis migrant workers – a welcome develop-ment. The analysis has an International Relations/Political Economy perspective and is largely based on (offi cial) news releases and secondary sources