Los nuevos trabajadores migrantes en Europa. El surgimiento de una política común de inmigración laboral

Abstract

Since the zero-immigration discourse dominated, the European cooperation on labour immigration did not develop as one of free movement of Community workers. Discussing about a common policy on new labour immigration in Europe has not been an easy process. A policy plan was finally adopted six years after the implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty in 1999 to reach a first law in 2009. The first aim of this paper is to understand the policy-making process of a common labour immigration policy. Based on the theoretical framework of discursive institutionalism, this paper aims to explain the policy process carried out by the European actors, particularly the European Commission. Using the concept of discourse defined as ideas and interactions, it examines the ideas about new labour migration in Europe. It shows how the European actors reached step by step an agreement on the so-called Blue Card Directive. The migrant workers categories emerging from the process range from the new economic migrant to the emblematic highly skilled worker. The common labour migration policy that was finally adopted leaves the Community door ajar. It is characterized by a differentiated approach and a preference for temporary immigration.