The research focuses on labour migration from outside the EU as one of the potential solutions to labour shortages in the Dutch healthcare and technical sectors. The central question is what opportunities and challenges the various stakeholders perceive in labour migration as a potential solution to these labour shortages.
Through legal-sociological research, knowledge is being developed regarding the regulation and practice of professional migration in the Netherlands. In addition to the experiences of policymakers and implementing bodies, employers and employee organisations, and the longer-term perspective of labour migrants themselves, lessons are drawn from an international comparison. To this end, research is being conducted into the regulation of labour migration in Germany, Flanders and Canada. The research aims to fill a knowledge gap regarding the forces at play surrounding (the regulation of) labour migration in the unique context of major labour market shortages globally, in Europe and the Netherlands, an ageing population, war, the climate transition and a commitment to a broad approach to prosperity.
The research team consists of three senior researchers and one postdoctoral researcher. Anita Böcker and Tesseltje de Lange focus on the healthcare sector in the Netherlands, Germany and Flanders. Tesseltje de Lange, as a professor of European migration law specialising in European labour migration law, monitors developments at the European level. Postdoctoral researcher Judith van Uden focuses specifically on the technology sector and incorporates the European perspective on labour migration from outside the EU, as well as the proposed talent pool and talent partnerships, into her research. She will also conduct fieldwork in the technology sector, with a specific focus on the energy transition. Iris Sportel will carry out fieldwork in the healthcare sector.
The research team regularly organises knowledge sessions on opportunities and challenges surrounding labour migration to inform participants and gather insights. The first session, for example, focused on a skilled worker scheme, whilst the second addressed good employment practices.
Conference Work and Migration Law
On 22 May 2025, more than 170 people came to Nijmegen to share and gain insights on the theme of ‘Work and Migration Law’. It was a productive day.