Effective Labour Migration Management: Creating Checks and Balances while Searching for Talent

Policymakers in major migrant-receiving countries are trying to attract and integrate migrant workers with the right mix of skills to support economic growth and demographic sustainability. At the same time, most recognise that developing home-grown talent has to be part of a viable growth strategy, as well as reducing the costs of immigration for public budgets and the local labour markets and societies. Striking a balance among these elements is all the more sensitive at a time of high unemployment, when public discontent has centered on immigration. Labour migration systems in advanced economies tend to be geared towards high-skilled migration. However, the persistent labour market demand for low- and medium-skilled workers still needs to be taken into account. This panel debate brings together experts, policymakers, and social partners involved in the management of labour migration to discuss the various options available to policymakers when trying to design an 'optimally balanced' labour migration policy. Such a policy should be able to address both short- and medium-term migrant worker needs across the whole range of the skills spectrum while, at the same time, contribute to preserving fiscal sustainability and social cohesion in the long run.