Labor Migration Governance in Times of Crisis: Analysis of Policy Choices in Greece

This research examines the evolution of labour migration governance in Greece. It looks at the evolution of labour migration governance in Greece and the European Union, as well as theoretical approaches to migration governance. This need resulted from a shift in politics away from state-centred approaches and toward managing political issues through governance, that is, by including non-governmental agents in policymaking. This shift is evident both at the levels of the European Union and Member States. The notion that national sovereignty is undermined within the European Union has been further reinforced by the impact of EU laws, rules, and policies on policymaking in EU Member States.

Recent literature on governance has primarily focused on subnational and supranational levels, neglecting state-level actors. However, the author emphasises the importance of understanding governance at all levels, including macro, national, and subnational levels, to critically analyse its implications for all agents. The legal frameworks of the EU and Greece regarding legal migration are examined using primary and secondary research. Thematic analysis and social network analysis are also used to get insight into the views of the agents involved in Greek policymaking about the governance of labour migration in Greece.

The EU's ordoliberal rules are incorporated into national law and they prioritise labour market operation, affecting workers negatively, particularly third-country nationals, who are vulnerable and exploitable. However, the EU actively engages non-governmental actors in Greece's state politics, who despite opposing MRAs and neoliberal policies attribute the deterioration of foreigners’ wellbeing to the Greek state's inability to provide better living conditions and not so much to the EU's ordoliberal policies.

Greece's labour migration governance is largely state-centric, with the EU's influence being significant. The most influential non-governmental agents (many of whom have a European and international presence), even though they participate in a fragmented network of synergies are heavily involved in the formulation and implementation of labour migration policies. This leads to a governance that reinforces both state authority and the growing presence and involvement of non-governmental actors.