Concept Note
Migration of highly skilled professionals is a trifecta of triple-wins. It allows source countries to benefit from knowledge enhancement and remittances, destination countries with opportunities for human resource enhancement and innovation, and the socio-economic advancement of the migrants themselves. The outcome of high skilled migration thus truly exemplifies the developmental impact of migration and provides an opportunity to drive holistic and inclusive growth. Emergence of knowledge-based economies, internationalisation of high education, skill-centric immigration policies, and the rise in educational and income levels have emerged as the primary drivers of high-skilled migration (Tejada and Bhattacharya, 2014).
Europe is a prime destination for high-skilled migration. In 2017, there were 2.83 million overseas Indians in Europe, of whom 64.54% lived in the United Kingdom followed by the Netherlands (8.31%), Italy (6.98%), Germany (6%) and France (3.85%). (MEA data). Employment is the primary reason for the migration of Indians to the EU and Indians constitute the topmost recipients of the EU Blue Card amongst all immigrants (Eurostat, 2020). Between the year 2015 to 2018, the number of Indian citizens who received the EU Blue Card rose from 3244 in 2015 to 8167 in 2018 , which is equivalent to an overall increase of 151.8 % (ibid). The EU has also enacted other schemes aimed at facilitating skilled migration and mobility which include the Single Permit Directive, Directive on Intra-Corporate transferees and on entry and residence for Third Country Nationals (TCNs) for research, study and training.
The diplomatic engagements between India and EU have provided a crucial framework of mutual co-operation and co-ordination on issues of migration and mobility. The India-EU Common Agenda of Migration and Mobility (CAMM) signed in 2016, establishes a platform for bilateral engagement on key issues. India has also signed Human Resource Mobility Partnerships (HRMP), Labour Mobility Partnership Agreements (LMPA), and Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with several European countries, which has bolstered focused co-operation on specific mobility issues. On the industrial-level, co-operation and collaboration in start-ups has also witnessed progress. For instance, the German Indian Start-up Exchange Program (GINSEP) aims to support innovative and technology-driven Indian start-ups in Germany.
While the bilateral policy frameworks provide a platform for increased India-EU mobility, the dynamic nature of high-skilled migration necessitates the constant realignment of policy with changing realities. The dynamism of high skilled migration is fuelled by the shifting nature of the labour market and the changing skill-levels of the workforce. Additionally, national requirements related to qualifications/skill or language may impede access to job markets for workers in absence of specific training or mutual recognition arrangements. The outbreak of Covid-19 has also posed newer challenges and opportunities for migration within the highly skilled category. Furthermore, it is important to devise strategies through which the potential of India’s skilled migrants can be leveraged and circular and return migration can be encouraged. At the same time, relevant skill development and training initiatives are essential to counter any selective concentration of opportunities for mobility.
In the backdrop of the aforementioned issues, the India Centre for Migration (ICM) is organising a virtual panel discussion on, ‘High Skilled Migration from India: A Perusal of the India-EU Corridor’ on 10 September 2020 from 1500 to 1630 hrs (IST).
The discussion will be centred around the following points –