ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the policies and practices of different trade union movements in the EU with regard to the existence of migrant workers in the labour market, and to issues of racism and discrimination which affect migrant and minority ethnic workers in Europe. It discusses the reactions of unions in different countries to postwar immigration and the presence of migrant workers and attempts to make some explanations for these differences. The chapter describes the issues for unions of the ‘third dilemma’ on special measures, and suggests a new fourth dilemma related to the illegal labour market. In the main migrant-receiving countries of the EU, unions are generally happy to see migrants extended full rights of citizenship and to regard them in principle as workers to be organized. The rationale and nature of special organizational forms within the union for migrant and minority ethnic members is a subject of great debate.
