Current Migration Trends in V4 Countries: Focus on Migration from Ukraine
Current Migration Trends in V4 Countries: Focus on Migration from Ukraine
Contributor(s): Vladimír Benč (Editor)
Subject(s): Sociology, Migration Studies, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
Published by: Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RC SFPA)
Keywords: Migration; Trends; V4 Countries; Ukraine;
Summary/Abstract: The spread of conflicts in a wide range of countries in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and unfortunately also in neighbouring countries (such as Ukraine) is producing a huge increase in mixed migration flows, which in turn affects the stability of Europe overall. Migration recently became one of the main problems and a key policy priority for the whole EU. And it is clear that there is a need for a radical change in European policies on mobility. Unfortunately, recent discussions at the European level have gone in a confrontational direction, with EU Member States arguing harshly for the redistribution of newcomers in the European territories while further strengthening repressive policies. They have swung between two poles: on one end the view of migrants as a problem rather than as an opportunity (to create new connections, to move around ideas, goods and services, to create cultural, social and economic relations, and to promote open societies); on the other, the view of migrants as vulnerable people escaping poverty or persecution. And it seems that the first one is dominating, also because the political manipulation of labelling migrants as a threat is dangerously fuelling racism and discrimination towards “aliens.” Migrants are portrayed as a problem rather than as an opportunity. In many European countries they are presented as potential corruptors of the social fabric, inevitably provoking economic disturbance and criminal emergency, which in turn call for repressive and security measures.
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-80-89540-63-1
- Page Count: 67
- Publication Year: 2015
- Language: English
Migration to V4 Countries: A Ukrainian Perspective
Migration to V4 Countries: A Ukrainian Perspective
(Migration to V4 Countries: A Ukrainian Perspective)
- Author(s):Myrosława Lendel
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Migration Studies, Geopolitics, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields, Russian war against Ukraine
- Page Range:11-21
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:Migration; V4 Countries; Ukrainian Perspective;
- Summary/Abstract:Migration has never been a policy priority in Ukraine, despite the great socioeconomic impact of this phenomenon, and the simultaneous factors of exit, entry and transit migration. More attention began being paid to migration in 2010 in connection with the Action Plan to liberalize the European Union (EU) visa regime for Ukraine. Therefore, production of a prognosis and recommendations for governments on migration policy has been hindered by the absence or inaccuracy of data, the prevalence of the phenomenon of illegal migration and the lack of monitoring of labour markets in the countries of the Visegrad Four (V4) and the EU.
Recent Trends in Ukrainian Migration to Poland
Recent Trends in Ukrainian Migration to Poland
(Recent Trends in Ukrainian Migration to Poland)
- Author(s):Marta Jaroszewicz
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Labor relations, Migration Studies, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
- Page Range:23-31
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:Ukrainian Migration; Poland; labour visas;
- Summary/Abstract:Poland is first of all an emigration country, albeit its transformation from an emigration into an emigration-immigration country has been steadily progressing. The size of the foreign population in Poland is still marginal in comparison with other European Union member states; however, it is slowly growing. In the last national census, conducted in Poland in 2011, foreigners constituted less than 1% of the resident population. At the end of 2013, 121,000 foreigners with different kinds of residence permits were registered in Poland. On 1 November 2015, this number totalled as many as 194,000. However, these numbers do not illustrate the full picture of immigration flows into Poland. Foreigners who obtain a residence permit in Poland are usually permanent migrants who stay in Poland for a year or longer, while immigration to Poland has mainly a temporary (often seasonal) character not captured by residence permit statistics. According to Eurostat, which recognizes long-term national visas as residence permits, there were at the end of 2014 as many as 364,652 different residence permits issued in Poland, including labour visas for longer than 3 months.
International Migration in the Czech Republic: The Current State with an Emphasis on Ukrainian Migration
International Migration in the Czech Republic: The Current State with an Emphasis on Ukrainian Migration
(International Migration in the Czech Republic: The Current State with an Emphasis on Ukrainian Migration)
- Author(s):Markéta Seidlová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):International relations/trade, Migration Studies, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
- Page Range:33-44
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:International Migration; Czech Republic; Ukrainian Migration;
- Summary/Abstract:Within the last 20 years, the Czech Republic has undergone a very interesting evolution in regard to international migration. From a country with a strong tradition of emigration (from World War Two till the last decade of the 20th century) it has become the most important point of attraction for foreigners among the countries of the so-called Visegrad group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia). At the end of August 2015, a total of 735,237 foreigners lived in these four countries, with nearly two-thirds of them (59.1%; 434,581 persons) living in the Czech Republic. The second most attractive country within this group – well behind the Czech Republic – was Hungary (140,301 foreigners, i.e. 19.1% of those living in Visegrad countries); third was Poland (101,204 foreigners, i.e. 13.8%) and last in the ranking was Slovakia (59,151 foreigners, i.e. 8.0%).
Challenges, Opportunities and Risks of Migration from Ukraine to Slovakia (and the V4)
Challenges, Opportunities and Risks of Migration from Ukraine to Slovakia (and the V4)
(Challenges, Opportunities and Risks of Migration from Ukraine to Slovakia (and the V4))
- Author(s):Vladimír Benč
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Sociology, Migration Studies, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
- Page Range:45-64
- No. of Pages:20
- Keywords:Challenges; Opportunities; Risks; Migration; Ukraine; Slovakia;
- Summary/Abstract:Slovakia is not yet a traditional destination country for migrants – it has one of the lowest proportions of migrants in the population among EU Member States. However, because of economic growth in the last two decades and catching up economically with older EU Member States, as well as the inflow of foreign direct investments (Slovakia converged to 73% of the GDP per capita compared with the EU27 average in 2012, while this was 47% in 1995; at the same time the Bratislava region became the 5th richest region in the EU), Slovakia, and the Bratislava region in particular, is slowly becoming a destination for economic migrants. Moreover, migration is becoming a very important part of population growth in Slovakia, and if there had not been a positive balance in international migration Slovakia would have experienced in the years 2001–2002 its first drop in population in 70 years (see Chart 1).
Policy Recommendations
Policy Recommendations
(Policy Recommendations)
- Author(s):Vladimír Benč, Myrosława Lendel, Marta Jaroszewicz, Markéta Seidlová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Migration Studies, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
- Page Range:65-67
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Policy Recommendations; Migration studies;
- Summary/Abstract:For the EU and the V4 countries, policymakers and relevant institutions dealing with migration: Avoid Europe’s re-walling: It is necessary to prevent damage to the Schengen regime of free movement. The fences put in place in some parts of the EU external Schengen border must be just a temporary solution to manage the current mixed migration flow. Quick measures must be taken to restore the conceptual distinction between people travelling for personal reasons (migrants) and people forced to flee for reasons related to persecution (refugees and asylum seekers).
