The Political Economy of Egyptian Migration to Europe in the 2020s

Funding Sponsor

European Commission

Author's Department

Center for Migration and Refugee Studies

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https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42264-5_20

All Authors

Ibrahim Awad

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

IMISCOE Research Series

Publication Date

1-1-2024

doi

10.1007/978-3-031-42264-5_20

Abstract

The EU and Egypt share a neoclassical conceptual understanding of Egyptian migration, grafted by the network theory, in its criminal shape. In accordance with the neoclassical explanations and for political considerations, since the 1970s, Egypt sought to promote labour migration so as to release pressures on its labour market and to bring it valued remittances. Yet, Egypt, realizing the heightened EU concern with irregular migration chose to cooperate in defusing it. It resorted to issue-linking, giving up on legal migration opportunities to Europe, in return for benefits for its migration governance, locally-focused development and, importantly, for higher political motives. Operationalizing an agreed policy framework, the actions funded by the EU and its member states and those unilaterally taken by Egypt generated outcomes to the satisfaction of the EU. They also produced the benefits sought by Egypt. This looks like a perfect exchange based on the interdependence of the two parties. Yet, irregular migration persists and Egyptian HSM increases. Clinging to its conceptual foundation only, this framework ignores the arguments advanced by approaches such as the dual labour market and world system theories. The EU-Egypt conceptual framework should integrate these theories and devise corresponding policies and actions.

First Page

347

Last Page

364

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