Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Migrants: Developing a Comprehensive EU-Wide Strategy

According to the EU Health Strategy (2008-2013), equity in health is identified as a fundamental value in Europe. As health inequalities are not purely a matter of chance but are strongly influenced by the actions of individuals, governments, stakeholders, and communities, they are not inevitable. Regrettably, recent demographic changes across the European Union have illustrated the acute disparities when comparing the health and wellbeing of migrants to that of host communities. Despite the launch of the EU Health Strategy, it is clear that many member states are still struggling to adopt a coherent strategy to improve the status of migrants. Some of this ambivalence can be attributed to the strong politicization of migration issues in member states, but of more relevance is the basic lack of available resources, tool-kits and pools of experience and best practices which could otherwise be utilized nationally and locally. Such a disappointing lack of progress in improving the health and wellbeing of migrants has created an urgent need to construct robust, long-term platforms to raise awareness and encourage information-sharing dialogues encompassing national, regional and local perspectives.

A recently published study by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work highlights the growing segregation of migrant workers into occupations which are generally characterized by extremely poor working conditions in terms of wages, working hours, training opportunities and occupational safety – this is compounded by poor access to health and social services. These findings have been echoed by the latest Communication of the European Commission in October 2009: “Solidarity in Health: Reducing Health Inequalities in the EU”, which recognizes that vulnerable and socially excluded groups such as migrants experience particularly poor average levels of health – typically linked to poor housing, poor nutrition and health related behaviours as well as health discrimination, stigmatization and barriers to accessing health and other services.

Guided by the principle that spending on health is not just a cost but also an investment in the future of the EU, the Centre for Parliamentary Studies initiates a new platform in the field of migration and public health issues, providing an interface for active exchange of knowledge, statistical data, best practices, intellectual debate and networking; in order to push for further EU-wide active engagement, coordinated approaches and research activities at national, regional and local levels. These series of events will seek to reassess current situations, rethink policy priorities at all levels, establish comparative analysis, draw lessons from different member states and derive best practices for future initiatives.

The Centre for Parliamentary Studies welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Programme

9:00 Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mr. Dirk Jacobs PhD, Professor of Sociology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (confirmed)
10:15 Raising Awareness of the Health and Safety of Migrant Workers – Reassessing Current Challenges
  • Permanent, Temporary and Undeclared Migration in the EU: Understanding and Tackling Different Health and Safety Risks
  • Inequalities between EU and non-EU Migrants and between Native Workers and Immigrants
  • Migrant Workers in the European Community Strategy on Health and Safety at Work 2007-2012
  • Determining Factors for Safety and Health Concerns in the EU
  • Education, Language Skills, Wage Differentials, Working Conditions, Physical Load, Noise, Exposure, High Risk Jobs
Speakers:
Mrs. Roumyana Petrova, Senior Regional Migration Health Manager for Europe, International Organisation for Migration (confirmed)
Mr. F. Jesús Alvarez Hidalgo PhD, Policy Officer – Occupational Health Team, Health, Safety and Hygiene at Work, DG EMPL, European Commission (confirmed)
Dr. Sonia McKay PhD, Professor of European Socio-Legal Studies, Working Life Research Institute, London (confirmed)
11:20 Morning Coffee Break
11:45 First Round of Discussions
12:10 Networking Lunch
13:30 Understanding the Daily Lives of Migrants and Addressing the Causal Factors of Health and Wellbeing Inequalities in the EU
  • Social Interaction between Migrants and non Migrants; Marginalisation Factors
  • Racial Discrimination, Gender and Ethnicity
  • Dealing with Stress and Lack of Job Satisfaction
  • Lack of Knowledge of Citizens’ Rights amongst Migrants
Speakers:
Mr. Johan Leman PhD, Professor in Migration at K.U. Leuven (confirmed)
Anna Ludwinek, Living Conditions and Quality of Life Unit, Eurofound (confirmed)
14:15 Second Round of Discussions
14:45 Short Break
15:00 Improving the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of Migrants through Successful Integration Models and Regional Approaches
  • Initiatives to Fight Discrimination at Work and in Civil Society
  • Existing Integration Programmes – a Regional Perspective
  • Improving the Profile of Health-Related Risks at Work at European, National and Local Levels
  • Problems with Current Lack of Accurate Statistics on Migrant Workers
  • The Need for Regional and Local Raising Awareness Campaigns on Safety and Health Issues of Migrants among the EU Member States
  • Mind Mapping for Future Actions
Speaker:
Mr Xabier Irastorza, Project Officer, EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work (confirmed)
15:20 Third Round of Discussions
15:45 Chair's Summary and Closing Remarks
15:55 Networking Reception and Refreshments
17:00 Symposium Close

Who Should Attend?

  • Public Health Authorities
  • Border Agencies and Control Services
  • Ministries of Health
  • Social Services
  • Migration Authorities
  • Asylum Team Managers
  • Sheltered Housing Scheme Managers
  • Local, Regional & National Health Services
  • Social Care Professionals
  • Academics and Research Institutes
  • International Associations
  • Public Health Agencies
  • Hospitals
  • HR Professionals
  • Training Managers
  • Recruitment Advisers
  • Organisational Development Professionals
  • Equal Opportunities Officers
  • Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Practitioners
  • Immigration Advisers
  • Employee Relations Advisers
  • Police & Fire Service
  • Private Sectors Employers
  • Public Sector Employers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Central Government Departments & Bodies
  • Regulatory Bodies
  • Citizen’s Advice & Third Sector Practitioners
  • Trade Union Representatives
  • Academics
  • Religious & Faith Groups
  • Homelessness Assessment & Prevention Officers
  • Housing Associations
  • Tenants & Residents' Associations
  • Local Strategic Partnerships
  • Neighbourhood Renewal Teams
  • Social Exclusion Officersh
  • Health & Safety Executives
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Thursday 28th January 2010
The Renaissance Hotel, Brussels


Register your place

““Everyone has the right of access to preventive health care and the right to benefit from medical treatment under the conditions established by national laws and practices. A high level of human health Protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities.”
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
“Addressing health inequalities effectively requires policies which include both actions to address the gradient in health across the whole of society as well as actions which are specifically targeted to vulnerable groups. Particular attention needs to be given to the needs of people in poverty, disadvantaged migrant and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, elderly people or children living in poverty. For some groups, the issue of health inequality including reduced access to adequate health care, can be qualified as one which involves their fundamental rights.”
‘Solidarity in Health: Reducing Health Inequalities in the EU’ Communication from the European Commission, 21 October 2009
“Health and migration are closely interlinked ... The EU is founded on principles of solidarity, democracy, non-discrimination and respect for human rights. Health plays a major role by underpinning these principles. We value health as a human right. Everyone coming to the European Union should benefit from a high level of protection of their health regardless of who they are or where they come from - be they highly skilled workers or professionals, asylum seekers, or people arriving without legal status. Public policies must protect the health of everyone and not harm or compromise a person's health. Thus, tackling health inequalities represents a major challenge in the context of migration ... Migrants form an important part of our population, and they require policies tailored to their specific needs, just as other groups do.”

“I pledge my full support and commitment to actions to improve the health situation of migrants in Europe and to strive to reduce inequalities in health with the ultimate goal of better health for all in an inclusive society.”
Markos Kyprianou, EU Commissioner responsible for Health, September 2007