The lived experiences of migrants in the EU with a single permit (ULB)
New research carried out in the context of the Equality Law Clinic at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) focuses on the EU Single Permit Directive and shares concerns regarding the complexity and efficiency of the application (and renewal) procedure, the exclusion of certain categories of migrants from the scope of the Directive and the lack of protection of migrant workers from exploitation.
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The research highlights eight key areas of improvement in the design and implementation of the Single Permit Directive, that will significantly contribute to guaranteeing the social and labour rights of migrant workers:
- Single permits must be valid for an adequate duration as many migrant workers are currently relying on short-term permits that increase the risk of insecurity and precarity.
- The application and renewal procedures for single permits must be simplified and made more accessible.
- The dependence on the employer must be reduced.
- Prospective and current single permit holders must have improved access to information and support.
- Migrant workers human and social capital must be fully realised. Currently the restrictive conditions of the single permit means that some participants are required to compromise and work in sectors for which they are overqualified or do not match their skills.
- Effective access to complaint mechanisms must be guaranteed.
- Inspection and monitoring mechanisms must be in place.
- Transitional permits should be available to workers who have experienced exploitation.
For further information, read the full research above.