Immigrant Multidimensional Poverty in Europe and the Reaction of Civil Society

The paper overviews the main trends and empirical evidence regarding immigrant poverty in Europe. Providing first descriptive analysis on trends and current characteristics of the immigrant populations at risk of poverty, it is then discussed key policy integration problems. It is also explained that immigrants – in particular those from non-EU countries – are severely disadvantaged in most EU countries, presenting among the highest at risk of poverty and severe material deprivation rates. The situation is worst for children, youth and low skilled adult immigrant in secondary and precarious occupations (working poor) that awful affected by the recession. Immigrants are predominantly positioned at the lower parts of the overall wage distributions. Misuse of vulnerable workers – especially immigrants – has been an increasing concern during the period of recession with high unemployment while there face high risk of labour market detachment. This has crucial implications for policymakers as they must ensure effective targeted integration measures; active labour market policies to assist vulnerable immigrant and native workers.

State partnerships and civil society involvement through multi-level governance, may benefit governments by contributing to actual debate and intervention towards more effective implementation of policies and/or delivery of public services.

The crucial hypothesis to be tested is that broad involvement of civil society organisations, representing the various social and ethnic segments of the population, is essential to influence immigrant antipoverty policies in Europe.

The key questions to be addressed are:

• What similarities and differences can be identified on immigrant poverty in European countries?
• What is the effect of recession on immigrant poverty?
• Is the strengthening civil society necessary for the enhancement the immigrant inclusion?
• Do Civil Society Organisations influence policy formulation in immigrant and poverty issues?