Greece is preparing to pass a new migration bill that aims to attract tens of thousands of workers from South Asia to address acute labor shortages, while simultaneously introducing stricter measures against undocumented migrants.
The legislation, expected to be approved by parliament this week, reflects the government’s attempt to balance economic needs with a tougher stance on irregular migration. Key sectors such as tourism, construction, and agriculture are facing serious workforce gaps, forcing authorities to seek labor abroad.
Recruiting Workers From South Asia
At the heart of the bill is a plan to simplify hiring procedures through bilateral labor agreements with countries including India, Bangladesh, and Egypt. According to reports, the law will introduce fast-track recruitment processes, particularly for large public infrastructure projects.
In recent years, Greece has approved more than 80,000 migrant work permits annually, yet industry studies suggest actual labor needs are more than double that figure. Even so, only about half of the approved positions have been filled.
A Dual Message on Migration
While expanding legal labor migration, the government is also reinforcing its message of being “strict” on irregular migration. The bill includes tougher sanctions for migrants who entered the country illegally, as well as provisions targeting organizations that assist them.
“We need workers, but we are strict on illegal migration,” Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said in a televised interview.
Under the proposed law, migrants without legal status would have no pathway to legalization. The bill also abolishes a provision that previously allowed unaccompanied minors to obtain residence permits upon turning 18 if they were enrolled in school.
Penalties and Expanded Powers
The legislation предусматриes severe penalties, including prison sentences of two to five years for undocumented migrants once apprehended, followed by deportation. It also introduces mandatory prison terms of at least 10 years and heavy fines for those accused of facilitating illegal entry or helping migrants remain in the country unlawfully.
In addition, the law grants the migration minister broad authority to deregister non-governmental organizations based solely on criminal charges against a single member, and to revoke residence permits based on suspicion alone.
Criticism and Human Rights Concerns
Opposition parties have condemned the bill, arguing that it ignores the integration of migrants already living in Greece and adopts rhetoric associated with the far right.
Human rights organizations have also raised alarm, warning that the legislation criminalizes humanitarian action by linking NGO activities related to migration with serious crimes.
Greece’s national ombudsman has expressed concerns that penalizing people for illegal entry violates international conventions on the treatment of refugees. Similar criticism came from refugee advocacy groups, which described the policy as part of a broader hostile approach to migration.
Despite the backlash, the bill is expected to pass, as the ruling party holds a parliamentary majority—highlighting the growing tension across Europe between economic dependence on migrant labor and increasingly restrictive migration policies.
