Digitalisation and labour migration: the use of modern technology, challenges and opportunities

Digitalisation has led to the development of new products, platforms and services, as well as fueled the demands of labour migrants for more information, training and online services. These changes can bring about efficiencies for the public sector by speeding up processes and freeing up employees’ time. Digitalisation also represents an opportunity for countries to attract the best international talent, roll out e-government portals and educate citizens to ensure that they have the relevant digital skills to take advantage of the digital revolution underway while recognizing the skills and qualifications of third-country nationals. This Policy Brief explains the digital products and services available which facilitate labour migration, as well as the current barriers to the use of modern technology. This paper also analyses existing policy measures as well as looks at recommendations on how digitalisation can be leveraged to enable labour migration.

Migration for work reasons is one of the prominent forms of mobility, propelled by the ever-increasing wave of digitalisation. Such underlying labour market conditions as a shortage of workers (particularly in Europe), the continued globalisation of the economy and the demand for flexible arrangements have driven the need for digitalisation. In turn, the widespread adoption of digital tools, automation, and remote work capabilities has not only expanded opportunities for individuals to seek employment in different regions but has also reshaped the dynamics of work-related migration.