Labour Rights, Inclusion and Fair Treatment for Undocumented People

ongoing

Europe’s shifting socio-economic landscape is marked by labour and skills shortages and rising inequality. Systemic barriers are deepening the social and economic exclusion of migrants with an insecure or irregular status who are generally excluded from social protection mechanisms. In 2026, PICUM will enhance the knowledge base on labour migration schemes, analyse measures to prevent and address occupational safety and health and investigate the interplay between residence status and poverty. We will enhance understanding of barriers and facilitators for social inclusion, particularly in housing, access to secure residence and work permits. In this way, PICUM’s work will inform EU policy making and implementation at the national and EU levels, notably of the European Pillar of Social Rights principles and headline 2030 targets at a crucial time where the EU devises its first ever anti-poverty strategy, and the post-2027 MFF. Building on our presence in media, we will seek to promote positive narratives around migrants’ social inclusion and start preparatory work for reaching new audiences including through a podcast. As PICUM starts implementing its strategic plan for 2026-2030, members’ engagement will be deepened in the various activities unfolding throughout the year and the work of the organisation will be informed by the newly established task force on participation and inclusion. The network’s response will also be strengthened through tailored capacity strengthening on collective action, the intersectional dimensions of inclusion (including on age and disability) and legal possibilities to enable social work and community based approaches for migrants in irregular status. Celebrating 25 years of work, PICUM will take stock of the wealth of evidence created on inclusionary practices, measure progress towards countering social exclusion, including of undocumented adults and children and consider new strategies to further strengthen a social Europe.