This publication brings together a selection of the papers delivered at the seminar on “Preventing and combating the employment of foreigners in an irregular situation”. It analyses the economic and political challenges posed by illegal immigration, and examines and compare the measures taken.

This manual sets out the considerations and options that policy-makers and academics can draw upon when they are faced with questions on migrant workers, such as the involvement of employers' and workers' organizations, the irregular inflow of workers, illegal employment and whom to admit and under what conditions.; The book should be especially useful in countries confronted for the first time with the employment of foreigners.

Includes statistics and graphs.

Illegal immigration has been near the top of the political agendas of the member states of the Council of Europe for almost two decades. They are worried about the scale of the problem and frightened that it might exacerbate existing social tensions. This report, which was discussed at the 7th conference of European Ministers responsible for Migration Affairs in Helsinki in September 2002, surveys the problems and offers some recommendations on future policy. After defining illegal immigration, it discusses the organised traffic in human beings and the measures to control and deter settlement. It then examines the particular problems of the enlargement of the EU and Community policy before looking at the underlying demographic and economic trends and their effect on the labour market. The recommendations focus on a desire for a transparent system, which harmonises asylum and immigration policy and allows a positive regulation of labour migration.

Compilation of papers originally presented at the PICUM conference held on 26 May 2003 at the European Parliament, Brussels. Sheds light on international migration and the deterioration of working conditions for undocumented migrants. Lists protective and repressive measures in use in European countries, followed by an overview of labour conditions faced by undocumented workers in agriculture, construction, and domestic work. Explores the basic social rights and minimum standards, and the role of actors who contribute to promoting undocumented workers' rights, such as social inspectors, trade unions, and NGOs. Gives recommendations and a list of relevant websites. Includes two ILO contributions: Patrick A. Taran: Globalization, migration and exploitation - irregular migrants and fundamental rights at work (p. 9-23); and Roger Plant: Forced labour and migrant workers (p. 61-65).