Labour migration of third-country nationals has become a key issue in EU migration policy, impacting economic development and competitiveness. While labour migration has grown in many EU countries, the demand for skilled workers continues to rise, driven by an aging population, technological advancements, and the green transition. As similar trends affect most Member States, intra-EU mobility alone cannot meet the demand, making an additional workforce from third countries essential. In addition, Ukrainian refugees in EU member states represent a valuable workforce with significant potential making it important to acknowledge their qualifications and provide targeted upskilling. 

The joint conference by EMN Estonia and IOM Estonia will address labour shortages in the EU, offering a platform to share challenges, good practices, and success stories from Member States. It will explore how labour market policies have adapted to economic needs and skills shortages, assess the effectiveness of EU internal mobility, and examine the need for foreign labour. The conference will also discuss the strategies required to attract and integrate skilled workers from outside of the EU while focusing on the development of skills mobility partnerships with third countries, offering insights into sustainable strategies to balance local labour demands while remaining competitive and attractive to migrant workers.  

The joint conference will also mark the 20th anniversary of IOM in Estonia, emphasising the organisation’s role in establishing, expanding and enhancing regular labour pathways.

The conference will take place as in person event on 5th December 2024 in Mövenpick hotel Tallinn (Lembitu 12). The working language of the conference is English.