Europe is stuck in a need-hate relationship with migrants
Alas, the EU is facing a fresh migration crisis
A surge of small boats is arriving on Europe’s southern shores, brimming with migrants willing to work, for example doing low-skilled jobs in construction or caring for the elderly. In entirely separate news, Europe has a mounting shortage of workers, especially in low-skilled sectors such as construction or taking care of the elderly. To some, that may suggest a solution about as complex as slotting the last piece into a jigsaw puzzle. Alas, migration is not amenable to such reasoning. Countries have borders for good reasons; economic needs are often subservient to political imperatives. Still, the end result is that Europe is nuttily deploying barbed-wire fences and “workers wanted” banners at the same time. Meanwhile, thousands are drowning as they try to reach a place that may soon realise it needs them.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “The migrant paradox”
Europe October 7th 2023
- After a brutal campaign, Poland gets ready to vote
- Slovakia gives pro-Russian populist nationalism another win
- Ukraine prepares for winter again as Russia targets its power grid
- Spain’s Socialists are struggling to recover power
- What should Ireland’s government do with a huge budget surplus?
- Europe is stuck in a need-hate relationship with migrants
From the October 7th 2023 edition
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