Freedom of Movement, a Human Right? was the title of the 6th National Conference organised by the EMN National Contact Point (NCP) in Luxembourg, held from 3 till 5 June 2013.
Among distinguished speakers presenting their views at the conference belonged both national and international experts from public administration, academic and research institutions as well as NGO representatives. Their presentations stirred up a discussion on various aspects of the freedom of movement of both EU citizens and third-country nationals and pointed out numerous legislative obstacles, and practical experience posing future challenges to these issues, especially in terms of third-country nationals. The topics discussed included e.g. rights and responsibilities related to Posted Workers Directive or the implementation of Directive on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. In this regard, the application of a five-year period after which EU citizens can acquire permanent residency right in another Member State has proven ambiguous.
The freedom of movement for EU citizens goes hand in hand with the free market. Due to this fact, the conference discussed also the need to ensure mechanisms preventing abusive labour practices on the free market. The discussion underlined the fact that it has been a great difficulty to defend working standards in the era of globalization.
The conference was accompanied by an evening programme – screening of a Norwegian documentary film “Nowhere home“ about unaccompanied minor migrants who were not granted asylum and based on the law at that time they had to leave the country as soon as they turned 18 years old.
EMN NCP in Luxembourg plans to issue a publication with the conference outcomes by the end of the year 2013. The publication will be available on Luxembourgish EMN NCP website.