A key to reducing irregular migration into the European Union lies in the expansion of legal pathways. Approaches that are already being tested need to be scaled up more systematically and on a larger scale in order to have a tangible impact. In addition to improving the effectiveness of recruiting highly skilled workers, a stronger focus on low-skilled labour would also be helpful. So far, legal pathways have only been granted to them in exceptional cases. Expanding such pathways, together with more efficient recognition procedures, can ease the pressure on asylum systems, while at the same time mobilising urgently needed workers.
© 2025 Yvonne Giesing, Panu Poutvaara, published by ZBW – Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft
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