Harnessing the Potential of Migration: Labour Migration in Focus

International migration has been increasingly contested and politicized, negatively impacting on public trust in countries in the EU (and beyond). In particular, perceptions of disorderly movements have raised concerns amongst the public in countries of reception. At the same time, these countries benefit from immigration to address effects of demographic aging. The paper argues that well-managed, orderly migration and the dissemination of knowledge about immigration dynamics and admission procedures play a key role in maintaining and strengthening public trust so as to harness the benefits of labour migration. The paper highlights key aspects and instruments of well-managed labour migration and provides insights into current policy developments and initiatives in the field of labour migration, focusing on the example of Austria.