The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is pushing for a bill that would legalize around 30,000 migrant workers to address labor shortages in the country. The proposed legislation, which is expected to be voted on in the Greek parliament on December 20, has stirred tensions within Mitsotakis's New Democracy (ND) party.
Greece reportedly requires at least 70,000 agricultural workers for the domestic production of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and milk, according to Euractiv, a European news platform. The proposed bill is seen as a step towards meeting these labor demands. This reflects similar policies in Italy that issue tens of thousands of seasonal work visas annually. It also aligns with the broader EU aim to provide more legal ways for migrants to live and work in Europe due to a shortage of skilled workers and an aging workforce in much of Western Europe.
The Greek government aims to bring migrants "out of anonymity" by offering them the opportunity for legal employment, thereby addressing the needs of the Greek economy for additional workforce. However, the proposed legislation has not been universally welcomed within the ND party. Antonis Samaras, a former Prime Minister, has expressed concerns that the bill could act as a 'pull' factor for migrants, who might believe that they can eventually gain legal status and start earning money if they stay in Greece long enough.
When the plan was first discussed in September, Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis stated that the government did not intend to create new incentives for illegal migrant flows. The aim of the plan, he said, was to increase public revenue through employment taxes and contributions and help address severe labor shortages. The legalization would cover not just the agricultural sector but also construction and tourism.
The new immigration law, which will come into effect from January 1, 2024, will introduce new immigration codes. These will mainly affect "highly skilled third-country nationals" who will be eligible to apply for European Blue Cards. "Third-country nationals" already in Greece on a C-Visa can also apply for a Blue Card, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Despite the tensions, Greece has legalized nearly 680,000 migrants since 2021. However, around 60,000 migrants reportedly reside in Greece without the correct papers. Kairidis noted that countries such as Pakistan and Iran often refuse to accept their nationals back, even when their asylum claims are found to be invalid. As of December 10, the UN refugee agency UNHCR reported that 44,924 migrants had arrived in Greece since the start of the year, with over a quarter coming from Syria.
Source: InfoMigrants