For their analysis, Harris, Römer and Henninger compared the Covid-19 support programmes of Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and the UK as well as their existing social benefits to which migrant workers may have access.
Governments' programmes adopted so far are extensive, but the specific vulnerabilities of labour migrants appear largely to have been overlooked.
Unemployment benefits are usually linked to contributions over several years, thus excluding migrant workers with their temporary employment contracts. Even social assistance is not an option in many countries, as it requires a permanent residence in the respective country.
Some countries, write Harris, Römer and Henninger, at least paid reduced social benefits to migrant workers in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Another major problem for migrant workers is that they may lose their residence and work permits due to unemployment.
You can read the entire article "Covid-19 and migrant workers' social rights" on socialeurope.eu.
Contact:
Dr. Jakob Henninger
DeZIM e.V.
Mauerstraße 76
10117 Berlin
E-Mail: jakob.henninger@uni-bremen.de
Dr. Friederike Römer
DeZIM e.V.
Mauerstraße 76
10117 Berlin
E-Mail: roemer@dezim-institut.de
