Labour migration: a pure economic good? : mainstreaming human dignity to state policies

Abstract

This thesis aims to assess how labour migration is seen in Europe, in particular how attitudes regarding labour migrants have evolved over time and what could possibly be the variables influencing and the explanations for such attitudes. Ten years after Tampere European Council, and the launch of its economic strategy based on growth and employment proclaimed at the Lisbon European Council, it seems relevant to see how the EU, as a global player, has managed to strike a balance between commitments engaged to and related to TCNs labour migration and its economic strategy. Therefore, the first part will briefly present the historical evolution of labour migration on the European continent until the beginning of the 21st century. It will be followed by an analysis of demographic challenges within the EU and their social implications. Economic theories and models will be used to illustrate the potential gains migration entails from a purely economic perspective and finally, we will proceed to an overview of major international and legal standards protecting migrants. In particular, how have engagements towards TCNs evolved into EU law.