Notes de l'Ifri - Do Companies Get a Say in French Migration Policy Making? Note de l'Ifri, May 2014
This paper investigates the role given to economic actors in the definition of migration policies in France. In the early 2000s, Nicolas Sarkozy advocated for a policy of “chosen immigration” (“immigration choisie”) whose objective, amongst others, was to attract migrants with skills and expertise needed by the French economy. This policy catered directly to the needs of the business sector, and yet, companies participated only marginally to public debates, and their opinion on the issue is little known.
This paper investigates the role given to economic actors in the definition of migration policies in France. In the early 2000s, Nicolas Sarkozy advocated for a policy of “chosen immigration” (“immigration choisie”) whose objective, amongst others, was to attract migrants with skills and expertise needed by the French economy. This policy catered directly to the needs of the business sector, and yet, companies participated only marginally to public debates, and their opinion on the issue is little known.
How can this absence be explained? How do companies relate to the other actors participating in the public debate – government, civil society representatives, economic actors, media, public opinion? When companies do participate, how do they do so and with what impact? These questions bear a specific urgency today, as the current government rekindles the idea of a migration policy matching labour market needs. Can such a policy be effective without the participation of firms in its definition and implementation?
Emma Broughton, Research Fellow at the Center for Migrations and Citizenship, gives first insights into these issues, opening up the discussion on an overlooked area of research.
Emma Broughton coordinates the "Employers and migrations" programme and carries out the 18 month fieldwork study on the impact of migration policies on the activities of companies. She launched a publications programme on "Emerging markets and migration policy" in January 2014. Emma Broughton holds a Master of Science in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
The whole paper is published in French only – Politiques migratoires : les entreprises ont-elles leur mot à dire ? [1] The Executive summary is in English though.