Equal treatment in the single market? Labour market opportunities for migrants with a European and a non-European background

Abstract

This article discusses whether the single market contributes to the Europeanisation of labour markets by comparing the employment and wage conditions of European and non-European migrants. Such a Europeanisation can be expected from the fact that the single market facilitates the free movement of people, that it simplifies the recognition of qualifications, the harmonisation of social rights and the extension of social benefits to persons from other EU member states. By focusing on the distinction between natives, EU migrants, and third-country nationals with and without European citizenship, it can be shown that the labour market participation, unemployment, outsider, overeducation, and wage risks of these groups clearly differ. In particular, the differences between third-country and European migrants can be interpreted as indicators for the positive effects of a European-wide recognition of diplomas and the better legal position of EU migrants, while the higher cumulative employment and wage risks of migrants in contrast to natives may also the result of common, non-legal barriers and challenges. The single market and its rules thus facilitate the non-discriminatory inclusion of European citizens, better preserving their qualifications and reducing the risks of migration decisions.