New challenges for migration policy in Central and Eastern Europe

Book abstract:

This publication was produced jointly by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). It aims to increase the understanding of factors influencing the current migratory flows and population mobility in the Central and Eastern European region, presenting an analysis of key developments relevant to migration policy in the region and a comparison of its latest migration trends.

The work is organised over eight chapters. The first chapter is by way of introduction and provides the background to current immigration issues. Chapter two addresses recent trends in asylum applications in and from Central and Eastern Europe and deals with this in two aspects - an examination of those made by CEE nationals outside of the CEE region and an investigation into the number and origins of asylum applications made in the CEECs. Labour migration trends in the CEE region are the focus of chapter three, which looks at various incentive or regulatory schemes to encourage or control immigration, and considers the nature of transient immigration for short periods with intervals at home before venturing abroad again. The chapter shows that it is not a one way direction - east to west - but more often is a case of east to west and back again. Chapter four looks at recent studies to evaluate the potential migration from east to west following EU enlargement encompassing cross-border 'commuting'. Irregular migration and external border controls are featured in chapter five which is expanded upon in chapter six by a study of the new routes established for illegal immigrants through the Balkans and the alarming growth in the trafficking of women from the CEECs. Such trafficking is again not confined to the east-west route but much is conducted within the CEE region itself and this features in chapter seven. The final chapter explores the impact that pre-entry convergence rules have had on the CEE countries' policies and practices in migration, and comments that whilst much effort has been put into the policies there remain doubts as to how closely the practices follow the policies.

The book will interest scholars, students, policy researchers and makers engaged in the fields of European studies, integration strategies, labour market regulation and comparative politics.