Brussels, 11/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - With its 201 members, the Socialist Group of the European Parliament (EP) called, on 6 December, for urgent action on immigration into the EU and on the integration of migrants into host communities. After holding discussions on this subject in Porto with Portuguese Vice Prime Minister Antonio Costas, the European Parliament's Socialist Group (PES) adopted a ten-point action plan in favour of a common European policy on immigration.
Recognising the “complexity” of the subjects tackled, the Socialist Group mainly calls on EU ministers to support adoption of a European Charter for the integration of migrants and for EU codes of conduct for decent work. It also suggests increasing the Frontex budget, launching public information campaigns aimed at recognising the contribution made by migrants to the economic development and social and cultural enrichment of host countries, and the application of sanctions to employers and traffickers who exploit migrants. Furthermore, it calls for the creation of a “Savings for Development” fund, backed by guarantees so that remittances from migrants are used in productive investments, as well as the conclusion of fair readmission agreements that respect the fundamental rights of migrants. Information on all these priorities can be found on: http: //http://www.socialistgroup.org. (bc)