Migrationonline.cz

The website for critical discussion about migration in Central and Eastern Europe.
9. 5. 05
Stepan Shakhno, Cathelijne Pool
Zdroj: migrationonline.cz

Reverse effects of restrictive immigration policy. Ukrainian migrants in the Netherlands

In this article the findings of small-scale empirical research conducted between March and July 2004, are presented. In total, fifty Ukrainian migrant workers were interviewed. During a 1.5 hour in-depth interview each respondent was asked about his migration history, living and working conditions, personal background, experiences with employers, work permits, visas and other important aspects of migrant’s life. By interviewing respondents in different ‘stages of migration’ (current, return and prospective migrants), we tried to get a picture of the migration process as a whole.

Based on this research we came to the conclusion that the restrictive visa regime does not stop migration, as persons consider themselves forced to look for opportunities across the border. It definitely affects the situation of Ukrainian migrants in the Netherlands, as it makes their situation much more difficult than before. But this does not mean that it stops the migration flow. In a sense, the current restriction of movement possibly even accelerates migration from Ukraine, while at the same time stops people who already are in Europe from going back home. This has two reasons. First, as a result of the more restrictive immigration policy the price of a Schengen visa on black market has risen, thus immigrants have to work longer in order to repay their debts. Second, immigrants fear getting a deportation stamp on the border even in case of voluntary return.
They eventually even change their plans from temporary to permanent stay, as they think that immigration situation will get worse and they will not get a chance to come to the EU ever again.

Stepan Shakhno holds a Bachelors degree in Applied Mathematics from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. In summer 2003 in London, he carried out research on Ukrainian migrant workers’ in the UK. The Trade Unions Congress (TUC) funded this research, which concluded in writing a book called “Gone West” that was published by the TUC in London in March 2004. This publication subsequently received a lot of public attention in the UK, including press attention from The Guardian, BBC, Channel 4 and others.
He has been granted scholarships to attend and present papers at a number of international conferences throughout Europe on the subject of migration. As a President of Lviv Regional Branch of the European Youth Parliament - Ukraine he is coordinating a free hotline for Ukrainians migrants where they can get free legal advice and learn about their rights abroad. The hotline now runs successfully in Lviv, Ukraine.
Cathelijne Pool received her Masters degree in cultural anthropology at the University of Amsterdam. She worked at the Institute of Migration and Ethnic Studies of that University, and did research on a dramatically failed positive action project of the local government of Amsterdam, to create opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs. This resulted in 2003 in the publication “Dossier Y-markt. Relaas van een mislukt Amsterdams prestigeproject”. UvA: IMES. As of December 2001 she is connected to the Centre for Migration Law of the Radboud University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands, conducting a PhD research on the influence of liberalisation of migration rules on the migration from Poland to the Netherlands. Publications of this research: “Hedendaagse migratie van Polen naar Nederland”, in: Justitiële Verkenningen, 2003, 29 (4) p. 63-80. “Open Borders: Unrestricted migration? The Situation of the Poles with a German Passport in the Netherlands”, in: IMIS-Beitrage (Special issue Migration and the regulation of social integration, eds A. Böcker, B. de Hart & I. Michalowski), IMIS Universitat Osnabruck, Heft 24, p. 203-213. And together with Tessel de Lange: “Vreemde handen aan het bed. De werving van Poolse verpleegkundigen in Nederland” in: Migrantenstudies, 2004, 20 (3) p. 130-144. End 2004 she presented a paper ‘Polish migrants, the Netherlands, and the EU: tug-of-war in triangle’ at the 4th International Immigration Conference ‘Contemporary migration issues: migration and society. Legal framework of migration in the ago of human rights law’ of the First Independent University of Business and Government, Warsaw, 21-23 November 2004. And together with H. ter Beek, J. Mevissen, J. Mur and C. Pool, she wrote the report ‘Poolshoogte. Onderzoek naar juridische constructies en kostenvoordelen bij het inzetten van Poolse arbeidskrachten in drie sectoren.’ Research conducted by Regioplan, for the Raad voor Werk en Inkomen, December 2004.
9. 5. 05
Zdroj: migrationonline.cz

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