FOCUS
Focus
Stay informed and subscribe to the FIW-Newsletter. It is not published on a regular basis but instead is circulated when there are relevant project updates (e.g. current events, new databases, etc.).
- Dec., 10th:
4th FIW Research Conference
Focus Summer/Fall 2010
We present and discuss current research and economic policy related topics in International Economics. This quarter about:
Challenges for the euro area
The consequences of ageing societies for state finances are often underestimated.
Eurozone’s financial contingency plan is trying to solve the problem of excessive debt with even more debt.
So far Greece has moved forward with its economic reforms. Those demanding bankruptcy ignore possible results and risk further development.
Financial Times Deutschland (German)
The eurozone’s growth spurt lost momentum this month, as an expansion in output in Germany and France failed to make up for a near standstill elsewhere in the 16-country region.
As so far the only country of the EU Slovakia will not participate in the EU’s financial aid for Greece. The EU is strongly resenting this position.
The EU wants to adjust the freedom of movement directive to the newer EU law. In particular the rights of residence and equal treatment shall be discussed.
While almost all countries in Europe are tight of money, some countries, like Greece, Germany or Spain pass austerity packages – or increase taxes. The EU-Commission has also been inspired. An explosive topic.
Financial Times Deutschland (German)
While thousands of tourists doze in their canvas chairs on the beach, the Euro sails on the high seas.
The euro area is facing crisis, while the US is not, though the overall fiscal situation and outlook is better in the euro area than in the US, and though the US faces serious state-level fiscal crises.
Job Migration
Who are the 10 000 Chinese in Switzerland?
Thousands of foreign graduates live in Germany – and cannot work as executives and authorities do not accept their degrees.
Visa restrictions may soon fall – Austria will not block this development unless all requirements are fulfilled. They include police cooperation and an appropriate border guard.
Europe is not flexible enough to meet the inevitable shortage of skilled workers. Besides more mobility more qualified migrants are needed. Only this way a lasting upturn can be supported.
Financial Times Deutschland (German)
Europe is missing out on a potentially large number of high-skilled workers.
Politics claims that companies are to blame for the deficit of skilled workers. But this is only a distraction from own shortcomings.
Last year the “officially” 3.8 million immigrant workers within the “old” EU have “sponsored” the economy of their home countries 29.6 bn Euro. The unofficial data is not known.
Experts demand more initiatives focusing on education and work in order to improve the integration of immigrants in Austria. The potential of immigrants should be used much better; this is the consensus of the Danube University Krems dialogue board.
Dialogue board Krems - audio file in German (mp3)
There is hardly any European country that uses the potential of immigrants less than Austria. This is what migration researcher Gudrun Biffl says.
Interview with Gudrun Biffl - audio file in German (mp3)
100'000 migrants until 2020 shall resolve Austria's demographic and job market problems. Austria's foreign minister Mr. Spindelegger is talking about a "red-white-red-card" and a catalogue of criteria.