Approximately 100 representatives of workers' organisations from various European countries including Albania, Germany, North Macedonia, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Belgium, attended a seminar in Tirana, Albania from 26 to 28 February 2025 on the topic “On the move – the rights and integration of mobile workers”, organised by ACLI - ENAIP (Associazioni Cristiane Lavoratori Italiani (Christian Associations of Italian Workers ) - Ente Nazionale ACLI Istruzione Professionale (ACLI National Professional Education Agency)). The participation in the seminar of representatives from various European countries was an important opportunity to discuss and share best practices. The seminar was organised in collaboration with EZA and funded by the European Union.
Challenges and topics discussed
The choice of Tirana as the venue for the seminar and the timing of the event fitted perfectly into a historically and politically significant context, and conveyed a clear message of peace and presence in the region, while also highlighting the importance of cooperation and solidarity at a crucial moment for Albania. The country is at the centre of two fundamental dynamics: on the one hand, the lengthy process of accession to the European Union, which will require a strengthening of relations with the other Member States and, on the other, the recent bilateral pension agreement between Italy and Albania; a symbolic step that emphasises the deep economic, social and professional links between the two countries. This link is also reflected in the close cooperation between the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, who have now signed agreements on migration policy that include the opening of two centres in Albania: one in Shengjin, where an identification hotspot has been established, and one in Gjader, where three facilities were created: a centre for the accommodation of asylum seekers, a return detention centre (CPR) and a penitentiary. Against this backdrop, the seminar gained even more significance, and became a moment of critical reflection and resistance against restrictive measures that limit mobility, human rights and international law. Moreover, the debate took place in a broader context in which Albania's proximity to Italy and other EU members is crucial for ensuring a fair and sustainable accession process. The selection of Tirana as the venue therefore enabled participants to address these issues directly in the heart of the affected region and to promote dialogue and cooperation to build a more inclusive Europe based on solidarity.
Key outcomes
One of the main focuses was the social and economic impact of labour mobility, with Bilbil Kasmi, Matteo Bracciali and Giorgio Sbrissa highlighting the dynamics of migration flows and the consequences for national economies. Another important aspect was the role of vocational training in the integration of migrants, focusing on the need for training courses that are recognised throughout Europe. This topic was discussed by Paola Vacchina, Ummuhan Bardak and Alessandro Gaetani, who emphasised that access to skilled training can improve the integration of workers into local labour markets. Stefano Tassinari and Andrea Giacomelli focused in particular on European training for mobile workers, and stressed the importance of structured programmes at an EU level. The contribution of Senida Mesi focused specifically on Albanian migration, deepening the historical causes and consequences of the drain of skilled labour from the country. Particular focus was placed on the labour market policy in Italy and the EU, with a focus on migration flows and the impact of the European employment crisis. During the discussions, MEPs Toni Gogu and Marco Tarquinio, and Emiliano Manfredonia and Simone Romagnoli, analysed the link between the integration of migrants into the labour market and the current political context marked by the rise of the European right wing.
Another key topic was the bilateral agreement between Italy and Albania on pensions, with a focus on the Albanian and Italian social security sectors. Antonio Ricci, Marco Calvetto, Paolo Ricotti and Astrit Hado provided more details of the agreement signed in 2022, which allows the merging of pension contributions paid in both countries, thus ensuring better protection for migrant workers. Valentina Piccoli, Giuseppe Nauseo and Silvana Poloni also addressed the topic of training and, in particular, language training for mobile workers in the various ACLI locations in Europe, stressing the importance of specific courses to promote professional and social integration in the target countries. One of the key outcomes of the debate was the need to develop more effective tools to recognise skills acquired in different countries to enhance the human capital of migrants and to facilitate their qualified integration into the labour market. The call for measures to encourage highly qualified workers to return to their countries of origin through investment programmes and business support was also expressed.
The workshops and working groups produced practical proposals to improve the work and social conditions of migrants in Europe:
Promote vocational training courses with certificates recognised throughout Europe to ensure greater skilled mobility;
Strengthen cooperation between Italy and Albania to improve working conditions and employment opportunities for migrants;
Support the implementation of the bilateral pension agreement between Italy and Albania to ensure more effective social protection for migrant workers;
Introduce economic incentives and tax relief to encourage skilled workers to return to Albania and promote local entrepreneurship;
Consolidate social and security guarantees for migrant workers, with particular focus on the most disadvantaged groups.
Proposals and commitments to improve labour mobility
Practical proposals were presented at the seminar to optimise labour mobility and to improve conditions for migrant workers. One of the most important initiatives is the creation of a standardised, EU-wide skills certification system to facilitate the mobility of skilled workers. In this respect, ACLI will strengthen the programmes both at the structural level, through the expansion of language courses provided at various centres throughout the country and via collaborations with internal and institutional educational establishments. Moreover, participants highlighted the need to improve the coordination between Italy and Albania to manage pensions and social security, and the introduction of economic incentives and reintegration programmes to encourage skilled workers to return to their countries of origin. After some in-depth dialogue with the Albanian representatives, an action and cooperation plan was drawn up between Italian and Albanian institutions, which specifies the organisation of working sessions, both on-site and remotely, to offer migrants assistance, advice, administrative support and career guidance.
Another joint project is to organise campaigns to raise awareness of workers' rights involving local media, trade unions and other associations to expand the cooperation network and to strengthen lobbying for inclusive policies. It will be crucial to improve dialogue with European and national institutions to ensure that the proposals are incorporated into effective legislative and policy measures, supported by awareness-raising campaigns to protect the rights of migrant workers and to promote a fairer and more inclusive social security system.
Key conclusions and future perspectives
The seminar was a great opportunity to discuss and address the challenges of labour mobility and to find practical solutions that can be translated into effective policy measures. The most important key conclusions are:
The importance of international cooperation: The involvement of experts and representatives from different countries has strengthened a network of cooperation that will be vital to address the impacts of migration dynamics in a fair and sustainable way.
The central role of institutions and associations: The joint commitment of authorities, associations and migrant workers will be crucial to translate the proposals into practical and sustainable initiatives.
The urgency to implement targeted action: The challenges of labour mobility require rapid responses in the form of active policies, training programmes and coordinated social protection schemes at a community level.
Monitoring and continuous improvement: It is essential to constantly monitor the conditions of migrants to ensure that reception standards and integration measures are totally effective.