I-CLAIM: Improving the living and labour conditions of irregularised migrant households in Europe

Universiteit Utrecht

Irregular migrants in Europe work in vital sectors of the economy, such as care and domestic-work, agriculture, logistics and delivery. But their precarious legal status exposes them to exploitation and hinders their access to social protection. The I-CLAIM project aims to develop policy recommendations for improving access to rights for irregular migrants and their families.

Who is an irregular migrant is not clear-cut. In Europe, irregularity is the by-product of immigration laws, labour markets, welfare systems, and political narratives and public perceptions. And they all impact the lives of undocumented migrants and their families.

Dr. Ilse van Liemt (Utrecht University): "This project will not only shine a light on vulnerabilities faced by irregular migrants in the labour market, but will also document possible practices of mobilisation and policy change". 

Impact
I-CLAIM researchers will investigate the living and working conditions of undocumented migrants in six European countries to reveal the spectrum of irregularity in Europe. They will examine, for example, how the use of  online platforms facilitates the emergence of new labour opportunities, but at the same time creates new forms of labour that shape irregular migrants’ everyday experiences.

Researchers will work closely with a wide range of European and national stakeholders, including labour unions and migrant rights organizations, to develop policy options and public interventions aimed at improving the living and working conditions of migrants with precarious legal status in Europe.

Horizon Europe - Global Challenges: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society