The Hindu : Europe's dilemma

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 27, 2002

Opinion

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Europe's dilemma

THE ALARMING RISE in popularity of extreme rightwing political parties with virulently anti-immigrant views is spurring different reactions from different Governments in Western Europe. But the one lesson that moderate political parties have learnt in the past few years is that unless they are seen as seriously tackling the problem of uncontrolled immigration, the far right parties will continue to manipulate the issues arising from this for their electoral gain. Hence the new-found urgency to start a serious discussion of the issue of immigration, legal and other, at the summit of European Union leaders in Seville, Spain, during the weekend. As the discussions showed, the varying historical experiences of the E.U.'s member-countries rule out a common policy approach to the problem of immigration. Thus, a community of nations that has achieved remarkable integration on a wide spectrum of life, including the launching of the common currency, euro, finds itself thwarted in its attempt to harmonise action against illegal immigration. But the longer the delay in finding acceptable, decent solutions the greater the threat from fascist forces, already on the prowl in many member-nations.

As the E.U. leaders search for answers, there is the very real danger that they will play into the hands of xenophobic extremists. For, Europe's dilemma is difficult to resolve without inviting the charge of discrimination and rights violations. The ageing population in Europe is in critical need of the services of immigrant labour without which their economies will suffer. The need is for cheap but safe labour. The German experience is typical. Last week, on the eve of the Seville summit that aimed to tighten borders against illegal immigration, the German President signed an immigration law that significantly expands the residence permits available to workers from countries outside the E.U. The move met with stiff opposition from conservative elements long opposed to immigrants and their integration into German society. If the left-of-centre Government in Berlin was ready to risk an adverse fallout and an opposition campaign especially with elections due in three months, its action was acknowledgement of the shortage of skilled workers in key parts of the economy, particularly in Information Technology. The easing of immigration restrictions for skilled workers expands Germany's own green card programme introduced two years ago.

The German decision contrasts with the moves in Denmark, Italy and Austria. All three countries, which have witnessed the rise of support for far right groups, have tightened immigration laws, making it much more difficult for refugees of poverty to gain acceptance. Italy, whose eastern shores bring in hordes of illegal immigrants, has enacted a law to get illegal immigrants actually shipped out. Britain pursued at the summit the idea, wholly repugnant and mercifully repudiated at Seville, of linking economic assistance to the recipient country's willingness to take back its nationals who are denied refugee status. Is there a common solution, one single answer to the dangers posed by the National Front in France, the Freedom Party in Austria and the Northern League in Italy? The E.U.'s dilemma arises from the need to strike the right balance between its own requirements of skilled labour and its duty and debt to those masses of humanity on the periphery whose only crime is to seek a better way of life.

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