France and immigration

Introduction

The history of immigration in France is deep and extensive. Immigrants began to flow in France during the 18th and the 19th century due to the rise of industrialization and the decline of the country’s reproduction rate leading to labor shortage[1]. With the need for high production in the industries, it was evident that the country would not offer the needed labor thus recruiting foreigners for more cheap and enormous labor. Majority of other countries that were industrializing proved to be unsuitable given that their birth rate was higher thus offering sources for immigration such as Germany.  The aware amid France and German in addition to the First World War affected labor supplies since most people lost their lives and reproduction decreased drastically thus causing the labor shortage in the economic sector to become worse. Unlike most countries in the European region, France is highly attractive to immigrants due to its strategic position and legislation which tends to guard the rights of the immigrants thus encouraging more to move into the country[2].

Most of the immigrants living in France are from the European region comprising of 80 percent of this population. In that, most of them are mainly from Portugal, Britain, Spain, and Germany[3]. As per the current situation close to twenty percent of the country’s population is made of immigrants. Close to 15 percent are from the Asian states with less than five percent being from the African descents. The primary reasons as for the increased immigration into France is working opportunities. In that France was involved in an economic reform that after the Second World War that facilitated authoritative economic development and extension. In the quest for maintaining the desire appealing economic practices, the government along with the private sector are particularly committed to expanding the labor force for high productions. The country has policies and controls that have primarily played part in supporting immigration. This has not only resulted in the highest immigration number but also contributed to the economic expansion as the high number of immigrants plays a significant role in the modeling of the contemporary social and economic values[4].

France unlike the competing states such as Britain has been dragged behind economically and it has not dropped its quest for a more stable economy in general. With the need to set high economic trend the country is particularly persuasive in regard to immigrants as its policies are not only fair but accommodative as well. With better living and working conditions, immigrants find it easy to relocate to France than any other country within the same region[5]. In that, the other states based on their developed economic conditions are less accommodative of immigrants and their policies are severe an approach that seeks to discourage their movement to the region. This pace was set centuries ago since unlike most of these state France is more objected at creating a balance amid the economic and social living in general through intensifying its economic generation which it cannot support without the assistance offered by immigrants.

Most individuals coming from the neighboring states are skilled laborers and are often attracted by the pleasing opportunities in the country[6]. The immigration state is mainly powered up to today by the gift of expansionism of the previous periods and the extensive practices instilled by the rulers from different centuries focusing on recruiting workers from the outside countries. In general, there has been a consistent rise in regard to immigration within the last decades and this has impacted the country’s society greatly[7]. Despite the fact that immigration has been branded as a successful subject in France it has proved to be one of the leading controversies for the last few years as it is categorized as the root cause of social-based issues[8]. In that most perceive immigrants as opportunist who are there to harvest all that France and its population has struggled to build. For some of the pressing issues such as ethnic conflicts and unemployment is blamed on immigrants a matter that has been existence for years. While it is true that a significant number migrate to France in search of education most of them end up securing employment in the same state thus minimizing the chances for the residents.

It is such issues that have resulted in the incorporation of policies in the most recent years being shifted towards addressing the outcry of the public in general which has in some way affected the socio-economic balance[9]. In addition, the immigration laws have consequently adopted rising restrictive measures in the country that seeks to minimize immigration in general. Similarly to other countries in the European region, there is a growing effort to control immigration in general with the objective of heightening the benefits towards development economically[10]. However, this adoption is affected by the general need to admit as well as incorporate seconding and third generation immigrants that depict the highest population due to globalization which has made this trend to be on the peak.

The immigration pattern is irregular since it is fueled by different reasons such as education, refugee, and employment. France has the most affordable education in the region which adheres to quality, convenience, and affordability for all. Healthcare is also very inclusive an aspect that plays part in the wellness of the general populace as well as the economy. Most of those coming from the African states are mainly in search of better living and livelihood for their families[11]. However, despite the contributions that have been made by the immigrant's populace it is accounted that most of them live in rather poor conditions with unemployment being one of their primary challenges. Employment opportunities mainly seek to rescue those from the France origin while the rest must apply more effort be to succeed[12]. Those that are employed are not safe either since low payment is norm due to the perception that immigrants are supposed to provide enormous labor with cheaper costs to facilitate the sector to grow. Despite the fact that most of these people live in the cities their living state is rather not pleasing since they are forced to survive with less payment despite the high needs to sustain their families.

In conclusion, it is apparent from the analysis above that France has for the longest period been attractive to immigrants due to working, learning and development opportunities. Even though immigrants offers labor that is essential in supporting the economic desires of the state certain policies have been developed to respond to the rising social issues due to the high number of immigrants. Most of the immigrants are from the Europe region despite the fact that France hosts people from across the globe. The living state of this populace is not favorable despite the opportunities.

 

References

Schain, Martin. 2008. The politics of immigration in France, Britain, and the United States: a comparative study. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=455407.

Thomas, Elaine R. 2011. Immigration, Islam, and the politics of belonging in France: a comparative framework. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=3441713.

Toro-Morn, Maura I. 2004. Migration and immigration: a global view. Westwood, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press.

Taub, Amanda. 2017. A Small French Town Infused With Us-vs.-Them Politics. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/world/europe/a-small-french-town-infused-with-us-vs-them-politics.html

 

[1] Schain, Martin. 2008. The politics of immigration in France, Britain, and the United States: a comparative study. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

[2] Toro-Morn, Maura I. 2004. Migration and immigration: a global view. Westwood, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press.

[3] Toro-Morn, Maura I. 2004. Migration and immigration: a global view. Westwood, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press.

[4] Schain, Martin. 2008. The politics of immigration in France, Britain, and the United States: a comparative study. New York: Palgrave Macmillan

[5] Toro-Morn, Maura I. 2004. Migration and immigration: a global view. Westwood, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press.

[6] Schain, Martin. 2008. The politics of immigration in France, Britain, and the United States: a comparative study. New York: Palgrave Macmillan

[7] Toro-Morn, Maura I. 2004. Migration and immigration: a global view. Westwood, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press.

[8] Taub, Amanda. 2017. A Small French Town Infused With Us-vs.-Them Politics. New York Times.

[9] Taub, Amanda. 2017. A Small French Town Infused With Us-vs.-Them Politics. New York Times.

[10] Toro-Morn, Maura I. 2004. Migration and immigration: a global view. Westwood, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press.

[11] Toro-Morn, Maura I. 2004. Migration and immigration: a global view. Westwood, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press.

[12] Taub, Amanda. 2017. A Small French Town Infused With Us-vs.-Them Politics. New York Times.