Migrant Point EKA

On International Migrants Day, EKA together with trade unions across Europe, supports the initiative for solidarity with migrants by backing the first European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) on migration.

“We are totally opposed to criminalising those who offer humanitarian assistance to migrants” said Luca Visentini, ETUC Secretary General. “The authorities should applaud and support those who help refugees fleeing life-threatening conflict. The Citizens Initiative rightly defends solidarity, respect for human rights and safeguards for people’s lives. These are the values that unions support on the International Migrants Day and every day.”

The ECI is officially supported by the ETUC and hundreds of trade unions and civil society organisations in Europe that have joined forces to engage European citizens in transforming the EU’s migration policies and empowering a #WelcomingEurope.

If 1 million EU citizens across 7 Member States sign the initiative, the European Commission will be obliged to respond to the following demands:

1. Prevent member states from punishing and criminalising volunteers and NGOs who provide humanitarian assistance to migrants,
2. Support civil society and local authorities that sponsor refugees, and
3. Ensure access to justice for migrants who are victims of labour exploitation and abuses.

For more information about the campaign #WelcomingEurope please visit weareawelcomingeurope.eu.