Platform for Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)

⭐ SPECIAL ISSUE ⭐ What will the new European Commission do on migration and what could it mean for undocumented people? We've analysed all the mission letters that Von der Leyen has sent the Commissioner-designates to find out what they say about migration. Key takeaways: 😭 doubling down on criminalisation, border control and deportations 😭 new Mediterranean portfolio looks set to usher in more anti-migration deals 😭 equality portfolio has been sidelined 😊 new equality and anti-poverty strategies 😊 promising opening on exploitation of undocumented workers ...read this special issue of The Migration Papers to find out more! #migration #humanrights #EUelections *** 📲 Read the latest issue of The Migration Papers below - and hit the subscribe button! You'll get automatic notifications from LinkedIn as soon as we publish a new issue. 💌 If you prefer to read The Migration Papers on email, sign up on https://lnkd.in/eTxrmu6d

We were advocates, activists, journalists and progressive MEPs. None of us wanted to be silent on what the EU is doing in Northern Africa. Just a couple of days ago, we co-organised a screening of Deserted, an investigative documentary by Lighthouse Reports, ARD and Deutsche Welle that exposes the deadly consequences of Europe’s border externalisation deals with North African countries, in the European Parliament. Drawing on an investigation by Lighthouse Reports, Washington Post, Enass, Der Spiegel, El Pais, IrpiMedia, ARD, Inkyfada and Le Monde, the film exposes how EU institutions directly finance human rights abuses in Northern African countries that result in thousands of Black migrants systematically abducted and then abandoned in the desert without food or water. After the screening, our Deputy Director Alyna Smith led an expert panel to discuss how we can hold the EU accountable for funding and enabling these abuses, and crucially how we can promote human rights and safety for all people instead. The EU's attitude towards third countries that don't respect fundamental rights is not just a favour to authoritarian regimes, but something that betrays its own values. Huge thanks to the speakers: 🎙️ Estrella Galán, The Left in the European Parliament 🎙️ Tineke Strik, The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament 🎙️ Klaas van Dijken, Lighthouse Reports 🎙️ David Yambio, Refugees in Libya 🎙️ Emmanuel Achiri, PhD, European Network Against Racism Aisbl (ENAR) 🗞️ Read the investigation on https://lnkd.in/ecDMXHVv

🔔 Looking for a job in migration in Europe? Here's the latest roundup from our network and partners: [Austria] Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz, Head of Refugee Aid - Facility for unaccompanied minor refugees | Leitung Flüchtlingshilfe - Einrichtung für unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge – rolling basis https://lnkd.in/dSaUYkkE [Belgium] Anti-Slavery International, Senior EU Adviser Consultant – 11 december https://lnkd.in/dugpV4tE [Belgium] Médecins du Monde Belgique - Dokters van de Wereld België, Security & Prevention Officer – rolling basis https://lnkd.in/dz_2YkHd [Belgium] Odysseus Academic Network for Legal Studies on Immigration and Asylum in Europe, Research and Project Assistant – 15 december https://lnkd.in/eYFrtkQp [Belgium] Quaker Council for European Affairs, Migration & Peace Programme Officer – 6 january  https://lnkd.in/djwurD75 [Denmark] Danish Red Cross, Project Leader | Projektleder – 9 december  https://lnkd.in/dvBVnPiG [Malta] aditus foundation, Lawyer – 20 december https://lnkd.in/dNTh_9Hx   [Spain] Fundación Cepaim, Lawyer | Abogado/a – 9 december https://lnkd.in/dSwMDFeA   [Spain] Fundación Cepaim, Project Technician – Guidance and Social-Labour Intermediation | Técnica/o de Proyecto – Orientación e Intermediación Sociolaboral – 9 december https://lnkd.in/dsitjvzM   [Spain] Accem, Director for the emancipation service for unaccompanied migrant minors | Director/a para el servicio de emancipación de menores migrantes no acompañados – 4 december https://lnkd.in/dEN-y7R3   [UK] Anti-Slavery International , Chief Executive – 5 january https://lnkd.in/edQpzJix #jobs #jobfair #migration #humanrights

⏰ New vacancies coming soon! Here's what you need to know about our traineeships, how to apply and when to look out for them 👇 🌻 Every year, we hire a total of six trainees: four to work with our advocacy team, and two to work with our comms and events teams. Key tasks will be listed in the job descriptions published when the positions open. 📅 Our traineeships run from March to August and from September to February. We hire 2 advocacy trainees and 1 comms/events trainee for each traineeship period. 🔔 The Spring-Summer Traineeships are generally advertised in December (new ones coming up soon!), while the Autumn-Winter Traineeships are generally advertised in June. Make sure to follow us and activate the notifications on our page to always be in the loop! 💰 Our traineeships are paid with a remuneration of around 1,000€. We also cover public transport in Brussels and give lunch vouchers of 8€ per worked day. 💻 Trainees are expected to be based in Brussels and work from our Brussels offices, but we allow for telework for up to 3 days per week. 🌍 We welcome applications from around the world. But because the traineeship only lasts 6 months and because of limited resources, we're unfortunately unable to sponsor work visas for non-EU citizens. Trainees are expected to make their own arrangements to obtain a work visa for Belgium, if necessary. ❤️ Help us spread the word!

In today’s newsletter: how Europe cracks down on migrants while asking them to save its economy. And also: 🚨 Sweden unveils blueprint for obliging public sector workers to denounce undocumented migrants 🛠️ Belgian lawyers call for work-based regularisation 🍅 a new EU ban on forced labour products leaves out migrant workers ...and much more, including: 📚 links to publications from NGOs and institutional bodies; 💻 a selection of interesting articles, videos and podcasts. *** 📲 Read the latest issue of The Migration Papers below - and hit the subscribe button! You'll get automatic notifications from LinkedIn as soon as we publish a new issue. 💌 If you prefer to read The Migration Papers on email, sign up on https://lnkd.in/eTxrmu6d

This plan is cruel and only sows fear and division in Swedish society. Yesterday, the Swedish government presented the findings of a public inquiry outlining how a potential new law could oblige some public sector workers to denounce undocumented people they come in contact with to the immigration authorities. The inquiry suggests that the Swedish government introduce reporting obligations for various public agencies, including the Public Employment Service, Social Insurance Agency, and Tax Agency. While exemptions are proposed for health services, schools and social services, civil society has condemned this move as any reporting obligation sows fear and mistrust among undocumented people and in society more broadly. We join our allies in Sweden in calling on the government to refrain from introducing any reporting obligations. 🗞️ Read more in our press release: https://lnkd.in/dduagDHt

🍿 You and us at the cinema watching IO CAPITANO and talking about how a new EU law criminalises migration and solidarity? Let's do this! If you're in Brussels, join us for a free screening of award-winning movie Io Capitano to follow two Senegalese young men as they travel from Africa to Europe, and all the obstacles they face in between. The screening will be followed by a short debate about the criminalisation of migration and solidarity with newcomers, moderated by PICUM's Director Michele LeVoy. In this debate we'll also discuss new draft legislation (the Facilitation Directive) that would lead to more criminalisation of migrants and people who help them. 🌍 The movie will be projected in the original languages (Wolof and French), but it'll be subtitled in English. The debate will be held in English too. 🥂 Drinks will be offered to those who attend the screening. ⏰ This is a "first come, first served" event, make sure you get to the venue in time! 📆 All details below.

🔔 Looking for a job in migration in Europe? Here's the latest roundup from our network and partners: [Austria] HIAS, Refugee Communication Associate – rolling basis https://lnkd.in/dN552YpX [Belgium] European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), Junior Legal Officer EU Asylum Law – 1 december https://lnkd.in/eZU-Y_AH [Belgium] International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Advocacy Intern – 1 december https://lnkd.in/dsxwY6EX [Belgium] International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Strategic Communications Intern – 1 december https://lnkd.in/dZRcgpMq [Belgium] Médecins du Monde Belgique - Dokters van de Wereld België, MHPSS Project Manager | Chef.fe de Projet MHPSS – 2 december https://lnkd.in/d9PbTHGv [Denmark] Danish Red Cross, Assistant to the Health Clinic for Migrants | Assistent til Sundhedsklinik for migranter – 8 december https://lnkd.in/dUa5UJSY [Greece] ARSIS - Association for the Social Support of Youth, Teacher at the ARSIS Hospitality Center for Unaccompanied Minors | Εκπαιδευτικού στο Κέντρο Φιλοξενίας Ασυνόδευτων Ανηλίκων της ΑΡΣΙΣ – 26 november https://lnkd.in/dyAgRfrg [Netherlands] Dokters van de Wereld Nederland, Programme Officer Stronger Together | Programmamedewerker Sterker Samen – 8 december https://lnkd.in/d5QBqRDJ [Spain] Movimiento por la Paz, International Protection Coordinator | Coordinador/a Programa Protección Internacional – 29 november https://lnkd.in/di3WSG_Z [UK] KALAYAAN | Community Engagement Lead – 5 december https://lnkd.in/ezCWfEUA #jobs #jobfair #migration #humanrights

Fighting forced labour is good. But simply banning products from the market won't help exploited workers - and might even put them in danger. In a final vote on 19 November 2024, the EU Council passed a new EU Regulation banning products made from forced labour, which largely neglects the realities and needs of migrant workers. While this new law is often referred to as the ‘Forced Labour Ban regulation’, the ban actually targets products, not forced labour itself. The new regulation bans products that are proven to be made with forced labour (either inside the EU or imported from outside the EU). The Regulation adopted doesn't foresee consultation or engagement with workers involved, nor does it foresee remediation or access to better conditions for victims of forced labour who made the products. The risk is that workers experiencing forced labour will simply lose a (however precarious and inadequate) source of income without having the chance to get justice and remedy. And workers whose residence status is dependent on the employer or undocumented workers would risk immigration enforcement if they engage with the authorities during the investigations around cases of forced labour. When implementing this Regulation, member states must make sure workers are always consulted and their needs taken into account. They must have access to justice and remedies, and be protected from detention and deportation. 🗞 Read our press release on: https://lnkd.in/ddaFrECR

Climate-change turbocharged floods in Valencia hit thousands of people. For some, recovery is proving extra hard. The Valencia floods destroyed entire villages and neighbourhoods and killed hundreds of people. Just like many inhabitants of this region, many undocumented people living in the area lost everything, including loved ones. But because they don't have the right paperwork, undocumented people are often refused emergency help by the authorities and are left with few or no options to recover. Those who were able to access temporary shelters reported mistreatment and abuse by staff. Many of those working toward regularising their status hesitate to ask for help, fearing it may have a negative impact on their case. Spanish civil society organisations are asking the authorities to assist everyone affected by the floods, whatever their papers. Climate change doesn't discriminate. Our response shouldn't either. Sources: 📕 El Diario: https://lnkd.in/d44eiTCX 📗 El Salto: https://lnkd.in/dE2Vgqew 📘 Público: https://lnkd.in/dBY3A-Af Photo credit: Pacopac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons