EU Labour Migration in Troubled Times

'Migration and Labour Markets in Troubled Times' studies the skills and qualifications of migrant workers within the European Union (EU) and how they interact with the duration of migration.The book contains quantitative-empirical chapters - which look at transversal rather than national issues - as well as comparative policy chapters; the countries assessed include new and old member states of the EU. The great value of this book, distinguishing it from other publications, is its solid empirical foundation it provides on post-enlargement migration, up to and including the ongoing economic and labour market crisis. We present empirical evidence in a way that 'stylised facts' can then be discussed against the background of more theoretical discussions developed on the basis of migration in earlier periods or outside Europe. Our results clearly contradict assumptions and expectations about a "knowledge driven migration": over-qualification and the corresponding underutilisation of migrant workers' skills emerges as a pervasive phenomenon. At the same time the characteristics of migrants of different types also turn out to be very diverse which contradicts assumptions about "commonalities among migrants" and raises complex issues for policymakers.To date there is no comparable comprehensive publication that analyses labour migration flows within the European Union in a comparative manner putting skills into the centre and taking account of the effects of the economic crisis. A excellent valuable resource for academics and practitioners alike.