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Integration and social inclusion
The integration and social inclusion of migrant workers and their families has, in recent times, been increasingly discussed at an EU and national level. The term integration itself can mean different things and has been interpreted differently in many European countries.

The EU's Common Basic Principles (CBP) on integration have emphasised that integration is a, "dynamic, two-way process of mutual accommodation by all immigrants and residents of Member States." See: A Common Agenda for Integration - Framework for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals in the European Union click here. See also the Second Annual Report on Migration and Integration - click here.

Social exclusion is the process whereby certain groups are pushed to the margins of society and prevented from participating fully by virtue of their poverty, experience of discrimination, marginalisation within society. See Combat Poverty website for more information. The definition of social exclusion as defined by Partnership 2000 was as follows: Cumulative marginalisation: from production (employment), from consumption (income poverty), from social networks (community, family and neighbours), from decision-making and from an adequate quality of life.

The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2006 to 2008 has identified the integration of immigrants as a priority objective - click here.

See also the European Anti Poverty Network Ireland website for useful information on social inclusion policy - click here.

Migrant workers are vulnerable to social exclusion for many reasons, such as denial of access to family reunification, experiences of racism and discrimination, income inadequacy, language barriers and difficulty accessing mainstream services. Broadly speaking, social inclusion is understood as a process for dealing with social exclusion and integrating people into society. Social inclusion is an essential ingredient in creating the conditions for the integration of migrant workers in Ireland. The MRCI advocates a holistic approach to integration, incorporating the active participation and inclusion of migrant workers in the economic, social, political and cultural spheres of society.

The MRCI's publication 'Realising Integration, Creating the Conditions for the Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Inclusion of Migrant Workers and their Families in Ireland' offers a perspective on integration; it's various components, the barriers preventing integration and suggestions for a constructive way forward.

The MRCI would like to see the introduction of a comprehensive integration strategy that is firmly located in an intercultural framework, underpinned by principles of anti-racism, equality and human rights. The Irish government has committed to developing an 'integration strategy' within an intercultural framework; this should be developed in full consultation with migrant workers and the organisations that represent their interests.