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Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

CHAPTER 6.
Challenges in guidance for the labour

market integration of immigrants

Analysis of national integration systems, complemented by interviews carried out
with national and international experts, plus information collected in case studies,
allowed identification of a number of critical points to be discussed regarding the
provision of guidance for the labour market integration of immigrants. They are
grouped into four aspects:
(a) provision criteria;
(b) structure and organisation;
(c) quality and adaptability of practices;
(d) growing roles for guidance.

6.1. Provision criteria

Language and culture learning practices can be a shared departure point for
CMS development across the EU. Without functional understanding and
expression in the native language, as well as a basic knowledge of the essential
norms and institutions of the receiving country, stable integration becomes
almost impossible for most immigrants. In some cases interventions will be part
of compulsory integration programmes for migrants with associated sanctions, in
case of failure (rights, access to benefits, fines). Many of the most common
activities and programmes address basic integration obstacles. They are listed in
several documents that manifest the concern of public authorities and social
partners. They include (European Commission, 2010b; ETUC et al., 2010):
(a) low language skills;
(b) failure in recognition of qualifications;
(c) poor knowledge of labour market;
(d) poor knowledge of education and training options;
(e) limited professional networks;
(f) discrimination;
(g) legal limitations to work;
(h) inadequate migration services;
(i) bad working conditions;
(j) social security issues.

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