Bratislava, 24/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Council of Europe conference in Bratislava on immigration and social security gave a new tone to the debate on immigration and the impact that immigration has on social security systems. For the first time, immigration was presented in a positive light, as a "chance for States" (as France put it) as, among other things, it makes up for the labour shortage, contributes to the fight against poverty and guarantees mobility (even if it also entails a series of problems). The conference was considered encouraging for the future work of the Council of Europe, whose role as promoter for coordination between the Member States could be enhanced by the exchange of information (as Belgium said) and which, as Moldova underlined, "is the true reflection of European unity able to guarantee a partnership between East and West" (see EUROPE of 23 May, pages 17 and 18). Secretary General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer placed emphasis during the conference on the problems of substance faced by social security systems, mainly the ageing of European populations. He asked: "Will our countries be able to bear the 40% rise in healthcare spending by 2050, due solely to ageing? This will not be possible unless structural changes are made in our health systems, with emphasis on early detection and prevention of illness". According to Mr Schwimmer, it is also necessary to "make up for the smaller number of people of working age and the labour shortages in certain sectors by attracting foreign workers". "I am convinced that migrants have a positive contribution to make to social welfare and to the economic development of the host societies, as long as there is effective migration management", he added. Regarding the millions of illegal migrant workers, who are totally excluded from social protection, Mr Schwimmer said one can "no longer continue to pretend nothing is wrong". He announced that this issue would be on the table of the Conference of European ministers responsible for migration, in Helsinki in September.
Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister Lubomir Fogas said his country was "doing its best to draw closer to acquis communautaire". He insisted on the need to strengthen and stabilise social security systems. Also, Slovakian Labour, Social Affairs and Family Minister Peter Magvasi (who chaired the ministerial conference) mainly stressed that the Social Charter of the Council of Europe must play a key role in the employment policies and health systems. Ambassador Joseph Licari, Vice-President of the Ministers' Deputies, noted that the debate was on the leading values of the Council of Europe, namely "the promotion of human rights and social justice". He recognised that social protection must be adapted to national and international realities to meet the real needs of the people bearing in mind the variety of different cultural and historical contexts. Spanish Secretary of State for Social Security Gerardo Camps Devesa also stressed the fundamental role of the Council of Europe and recalled the measures taken by the Spanish EU Council Presidency regarding social security (mainly extension of Regulation 1408/71 to third country nationals). "What we want is a Europe of prosperity, an effective social security system (…) and a viable and modern social protection system", he said.
During the debates, the Member States of the Council of Europe drew up a report of their immigration policy and of their legislation on social security, and the candidate countries for EU membership took stock of their situation compared to acquis communautaire in social matters. Other countries, like Ukraine, urged for a single European immigration policy "if one hopes to deal with the problem rationally, mainly in the context of EU enlargement". Yugoslavia recalled that half of Europe is currently living in a transitional period, and that all Europe has problems of immigration and poverty, which means that social security is a common problem. The Danish delegation held a "remarkable but ambiguous" speech on the political prism of Denmark regarding immigration, noted the representatives of the European Trade Union Confederation, Henri Bourdelle, and of the NGOs, Jean-Marie Heydt. While all participants felt that immigration could be a chance for the States, Austria (with its five frontiers!) and Germany were somewhat cooler about the idea. The Czech Republic, for its part, insisted on the fact that a foreign worker, who is part of the labour market, pays contributions and, because of this, becomes a competitor for the national worker. In this connection, Mr Lourdelle noted that, in the past, most foreign labour was intended for unqualified work, whereas today immigration also concerns highly qualified posts mainly in the technology sector. In this last case, one can say that there is a risk of competition with nationals, but it will always be limited competition. The Apostolic Nuncio, Jozef H. Nowacki, stressed the dignity of all workers, including migrant workers, as well as the importance of the family.
During this Conference, three Member States signed or ratified the Council of Europe's legal instruments: Moldavia signed the European Convention on Social Security and the Complementary Agreement; Portugal ratified the Protocol for the European Convention on Social Security (STE 154) and Romania signed the European Code on Social Security.
Slovakia pointed out that after its accession to the EU it will become both attractive as a host country and country of transit and that migrants should be integrated so that they really become part of society. Turkey explained that the extension of Regulation EC 1408/71 that applies to nationals from third countries legally resident in the EU does not currently resolve the present situation of workers when they return to their own countries. Malta believed that the link between migrant workers and economic progress should be emphasised. Canada explained that its Ministry of Labour had been build by migrant workers and was counting on migrants to keep this up. Luxembourg is another country that cannot sustain growth without a massive influx of migrant workers, who take part in the sharing out of resources. The country 's population consists of 30% indigenous workers, 36% cross border workers, 25% EU residents and 3% from third countries. Italy was worried that its labour force could not meet the challenges of the demographic situation (ageing population, very low birth rate). Its representative exclaimed that in order to maintain its current population levels it would need 357,000 people every year to settle in the country from abroad! Apostolic Nuncio, Joezf H. Nowacki, stressed the dignity of all workers, including migrant workers, as well as the importance of the family.
During this Conference, three Member States signed or ratified the Council of Europe's legal instruments: Moldavia signed the European Convention on Social Security and the Complementary Agreement; Portugal ratified the Protocol for the European Convention on Social Security (STE 154) and Romania signed the European Code on Social Security.
The Ministerial Conference finished with the unanimous adoption of the conclusions that aim to ensure greater social cohesion in Europe (see EUROPE 23 May page 17). Slovak Minister of Labour, Peter Magavsi emphasised that, "immigration is a human problem, which affects all of us and is not just the concern of Ministers of the Interior in Member States". Mr Magavsi's general summing up of the Conference's work described how, "immigrants who work and pay their taxes today are a positive element for host countries but represent a danger for their countries of origin, especially if the migrant is highly qualified". He recommended to the delegations present that they ensured that the Bernd Schulte report was widely distributed (see EUROPE 23 May page 17) throughout Member States, to NGOs, universities and other institutions, including the media, given that it was an excellent analytical study of immigration problems. He also noted the importance given to the role played by families in the development of social security and immigration policy. Mr Magavsi also mentioned the fact that migration didn't have to be a source of anguish in Europe and that it should be seen in context of other processes on the European continent. Ms Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Director General for social cohesion at the Council of Europe indicated that managing immigration trends had become a much more important issue. "Migration is currently considered as a real threat and is becoming an issue of national security. Moreover, would it not be better to place the emphasis on economic and human investment in an enlarged Europe that needs workers? Which is, indeed, the question posed by this conference". In a statement to the press, Ms Battaini-Dragoni explained that they were attempting to promote regulated immigration so that it did not become a threat. She stated that citizens needed to know that migrant workers finance the pensions and health care systems in host countries and thus contributed to the economic development and wellbeing of the country. Countries of origin and transit, as well as host countries, needed to meet around the table, Ms Battaini-Dragoni added. She also explained that the Council of Europe had developed a strategy for facilitating immigration when a country needed workers, in tandem with real investment policies and agreements with the countries from where the migrants come, so that they retained their own workers and the door was not left wide open to a huge influx of illegal immigrants.