January 2017 - IOM has released a set of key recommendations on migration policy to the newly arrived Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) for January - June 2017.

With international cooperation as a basis, and in line with its Migration Governance Framework, IOM calls on the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union to act upon the three following recommendations:

1. Revise the Dublin Regulation: The reform of the current system should achieve a fairer and solidarity-based allocation mechanism amongst Member States and a swift access of applicants to status determination procedures, while always protecting the rights of migrants.
2. Further legal avenues of migration: As European economies see a decline in their working age population, resulting in labour shortages and skill mismatches, policies and legislative frameworks to enhance legal migration are needed to ensure the sustainable growth and competitiveness of Europe.
3. Put particular focus on unaccompanied migrant children: Due to their vulnerability to exploitation, abuse and neglect, migrant children need to be particularly cared for. It is therefore essential to ensure that these children, be they accompanied or not, effectively enjoy their rights

Download the paper