A dynamic European labour market

Europe faces serious demographic challenges, with an ageing population and companies struggling to find skilled workers. To make our labour market more competitive, Volt proposes a new framework to attract international talent, while respecting the human rights of third-country workers.

From bureaucratic hurdles limiting travel within the EU and the risk of exploitation, these are some of the challenges workers face when they arrive in Europe. Ensuring that all workers, regardless of their nationality, can travel more easily across EU countries will make it easier for companies in the Union to recruit new employees, benefiting the economy of the whole Union. 

That’s why Volt proposes a common European migration code that will ensure workers’ rights are respected across the EU, while helping business owners to find skilled workers more easily. 

This new EU framework will harmonise rules across Member States and include the possibility for workers from within the EU to apply for a residency permit across the Union, access social benefits and reunite with their families. 

Ultimately, the demographic challenges Europe faces today are a great opportunity to boost the EU's attractiveness, competitiveness, and social cohesion and build a labour market fit for the 21st century.

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Ensure the rights of low- and medium-wage workers

We want to build a more attractive European labour market, by streamlining diploma recognition, visa applications, and granting freedom of movement. Our proposed European Migration Code also ensures family reunification, social rights, language services, and a safe reporting environment for workplace exploitation.

Create a dynamic labour market for highly skilled workers

Only with an open and dynamic approach to immigration can we build a resilient European labour market. With a European Blue Card, workers will have an easier time to move across the EU for a different job. Naturalisation processes will be streamlined to last a maximum of two months,  provided the applicant  worked in Europe for at least 3 years.

Two women of colour are working together on a laptop

Support undocumented migrants

Undocumented migrants face serious challenges working in Europe and often end up in exploitative working conditions. We believe that a labour market fit for the 21st century starts by ensuring the human rights of everyone and by creating simpler pathways for undocumented people to become regular economic migrants.

The 5+1 Challenges

Volt has defined 5+1 fundamental Challenges that need to be tackled in each European country and in Europe as a whole.

Why 5 + 1 Challenges?

The 5 Challenges are basically the same for every country, but their implementation can be adapted on the national level to take into account local realities.

The +1 Challenge – our proposal to reform and strengthen the EU – is identical across all our national programmes.

Read our Electoral Moonshot Programme!
  • 01

    Smart State

    Education and digitalisation are key elements of the 21st century

  • 02

    Economic Renaissance

    An innovative economy must be the engine of society's progress

  • 03

    Social Equality

    No-one should be left behind - no matter their gender, income, religion. or origin

  • 04

    Global Balance

    Europe needs to assume responsibility for its role in global challenges

  • 05

    Citizen Empowerment

    People must be empowered to influence politics beyond elections alone

  • +1

    EU Reform

    We love the EU - this doesn't mean there is no room for improvement