Greece to take part in circular migration scheme
Greece announced that it would take part in a program that aims to tackle illegal immigration by offering jobs to migrants on short-term contracts and providing them with greater financial rewards if they return to their homelands.
“The program provides a motive for legal migration to our country”, commented Alexandros Zavos, the head of the Hellenic Migration policy Institute (IMEPO). Around 500 migrants are expected to participate in the pilot phase of the scheme, scheduled to start next year. They will be asked to work in sectors of the economy where Greek companies face difficulties to recruit appropriate personnel and will only be paid a percentage of their wage while residing in the country. The remainder will be paid on their return home; otherwise they will lose it completely.
The program is based on a report of the World Bank, which demonstrates that the majority of migrants would rather spend a shorter amount of time abroad and return home. An alternative framework stimulating circular migration offers employers in receiving countries the means to obtain affordable services while respecting the law in sectors where they cannot find workers in their own countries, says the report. It also reduces illegal migration and the risk of abuse and meets the preference of migrants to stay away from home shorter for periods.
