The European Union development commissioner, Louis Michel, is in Mali for talks to set up the EU's first job centre for African migrants.
The European Union development commissioner, Louis Michel, is in Mali for talks to set up the EU's first job centre for African migrants.
The idea is to match potential migrants with job offers in sectors like agriculture, building or cleaning.
The idea is to match potential migrants with job offers in sectors like agriculture, building or cleaning.
France and Spain have already pledged to advertise seasonal vacancies there.
France and Spain have already pledged to advertise seasonal vacancies there.
It's part of the EU strategy to deal with the increasing flow of migrants from Africa, with other centres planned for Senegal and Mauritania.
It's part of the EU strategy to deal with the increasing flow of migrants from Africa, with other centres planned for Senegal and Mauritania.
Deadly journey
Deadly journey
Mr Michel is holding talks on the centres with Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure Mali the capital, Bamako.
Mr Michel is holding talks on the centres with Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure Mali the capital, Bamako.
Last year, 31,000 Africans made the hazardous sea crossing to the Canary Islands to enter the EU illegally, according to figures from the Spanish government. A further 6,000 died trying.
Last year, 31,000 Africans made the hazardous sea crossing to the Canary Islands to enter the EU illegally, according to figures from the Spanish government. A further 6,000 died trying.
The countries on the EU's southern flank - Italy, Malta and Spain - have been pleading for help.
The countries on the EU's southern flank - Italy, Malta and Spain - have been pleading for help.
The EU is stepping up border patrols, both on land and at sea.
The EU is stepping up border patrols, both on land and at sea.
But it's also looking at ways of increasing legal migration - both to fill gaps in the European labour market and to reduce the number of migrants trying to enter the EU illegally.
But it's also looking at ways of increasing legal migration - both to fill gaps in the European labour market and to reduce the number of migrants trying to enter the EU illegally.
If migrants leave with proper contracts and visas, this makes them less vulnerable to exploitation Jean-Philippe ChauzyInternational Organisation for Migration spokesman
If migrants leave with proper contracts and visas, this makes them less vulnerable to exploitation Jean-Philippe ChauzyInternational Organisation for Migration spokesman
The International Organisation for Migration, which assists migrants and governments around the world, says it's a "constructive step in the right direction."
The International Organisation for Migration, which assists migrants and governments around the world, says it's a "constructive step in the right direction."
"You can't manage migration flows by simply having tougher border controls," says IOM spokesman Jean-Philippe Chauzy. "If you're trying to undercut the people smugglers, the best way is to open up legal opportunities (for migrants)."
"You can't manage migration flows by simply having tougher border controls," says IOM spokesman Jean-Philippe Chauzy. "If you're trying to undercut the people smugglers, the best way is to open up legal opportunities (for migrants)."
The working document on the African centres, obtained by the BBC, says the job centre project will be co-financed by the EU and member states, although it doesn't give any figures.
The working document on the African centres, obtained by the BBC, says the job centre project will be co-financed by the EU and member states, although it doesn't give any figures.
It says the centres, and matching supply and demand in the labour market, are an "integral part" of the European Commission's "Global Approach on Migration".
It says the centres, and matching supply and demand in the labour market, are an "integral part" of the European Commission's "Global Approach on Migration".
Relieving pressure
Relieving pressure
Initially the Malian job centre will be in Bamako, but later it will establish regional offices in outlying towns or villages, where migrants begin their journey.
Initially the Malian job centre will be in Bamako, but later it will establish regional offices in outlying towns or villages, where migrants begin their journey.
But the idea goes far filling the gaps in the EU labour market. It's also aimed at relieving pressure on the EU by creating opportunities for Africans at home.
But the idea goes far filling the gaps in the EU labour market. It's also aimed at relieving pressure on the EU by creating opportunities for Africans at home.
This is very strange, even a bit crazy Polish MEP Jacek Protasiewicz
This is very strange, even a bit crazy Polish MEP Jacek Protasiewicz
The European Commission wants the centre to include a micro credit facility - possibly run by the Grameen Bank, which pioneered the idea of small loans to help people out of poverty by allowing them to set up their own business.
The European Commission wants the centre to include a micro credit facility - possibly run by the Grameen Bank, which pioneered the idea of small loans to help people out of poverty by allowing them to set up their own business.
The centre will also help the people who get jobs to get the necessary papers, including visas and residence permits.
The centre will also help the people who get jobs to get the necessary papers, including visas and residence permits.
"If migrants leave with proper contracts and visas, this makes them less vulnerable to exploitation," says Mr Chauzy. It also means they're likely to earn better wages and have more money to send home to help their families.
"If migrants leave with proper contracts and visas, this makes them less vulnerable to exploitation," says Mr Chauzy. It also means they're likely to earn better wages and have more money to send home to help their families.
But while Mali may welcome the centre, others are less enthusiastic.
But while Mali may welcome the centre, others are less enthusiastic.
Priorities, priorities
Priorities, priorities
"This is very strange, even a bit crazy" says centre-right Polish MEP Jacek Protasiewicz, author of a report in the European Parliament on the discrimination faced by workers from the post-Communist countries which joined the EU in 2004.
"This is very strange, even a bit crazy" says centre-right Polish MEP Jacek Protasiewicz, author of a report in the European Parliament on the discrimination faced by workers from the post-Communist countries which joined the EU in 2004.
"The first thing the European Commission should do is to diminish barriers for the free movement of workers from within the EU, and then open job centres in other parts of the globe," he says.
"The first thing the European Commission should do is to diminish barriers for the free movement of workers from within the EU, and then open job centres in other parts of the globe," he says.
Even now, people from countries like Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania - as well as Romania and Bulgaria, which joined the EU this year - can't work freely in all EU member states.
Even now, people from countries like Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania - as well as Romania and Bulgaria, which joined the EU this year - can't work freely in all EU member states.
"Many millions of Poles, Lithuanians, Romanians (and others) would be happy to have low-skilled jobs in agriculture within the EU," he adds.
"Many millions of Poles, Lithuanians, Romanians (and others) would be happy to have low-skilled jobs in agriculture within the EU," he adds.
Skill shortages
Skill shortages
But for Mali, as for many African countries, the brain drain is a serious problem.
But for Mali, as for many African countries, the brain drain is a serious problem.
It isn't just the low-skilled who are leaving: it's the doctors, the engineers and the IT specialists, even if some of them up end up working in jobs far below their qualifications.
It isn't just the low-skilled who are leaving: it's the doctors, the engineers and the IT specialists, even if some of them up end up working in jobs far below their qualifications.
"Ways of facilitating circular and temporary migration will be explored," says the working document on the job centres.
"Ways of facilitating circular and temporary migration will be explored," says the working document on the job centres.
For example, a surgeon from Mali could work in the EU for a month or two a year, earn extra money, perhaps acquire some new skills and put those to use at home.
For example, a surgeon from Mali could work in the EU for a month or two a year, earn extra money, perhaps acquire some new skills and put those to use at home.
"Someone who's worked for a few years in the EU may have accumulated some capital and can identify opportunities in their country of origin where that capital can be invested and create wealth," says Mr Chauzy.
"Someone who's worked for a few years in the EU may have accumulated some capital and can identify opportunities in their country of origin where that capital can be invested and create wealth," says Mr Chauzy.
Remittances from migrants represent the biggest flow of money into many developing countries.
Remittances from migrants represent the biggest flow of money into many developing countries.
If some of that money can be invested to create jobs - rather than just helping families survive from one day to the next - it could make some potential African migrants think again about risking their savings and their lives on a dangerous journey to Europe and an uncertain future.
If some of that money can be invested to create jobs - rather than just helping families survive from one day to the next - it could make some potential African migrants think again about risking their savings and their lives on a dangerous journey to Europe and an uncertain future.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you or your family migrant workers? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you or your family migrant workers? Send us your experiences using the form below.
The only way to cope with illegal immigration from Africa into Europe is to suppress and suppress the dictators in Africa and create more jobs for the local masses. Ntobo Valentine, Bamenda, Cameroon
Many Africans have been trying to escape to European countries, simply because most of the African leaders are not sensitive to their economic plights.Samuel, Ibadan, Nigeria
This should be open to all African countries, because it will create another hazard of people travelling from other countries to go to may be Mali where only this service is set up. There should a website for all Africans to apply and selection should be balanced. Nulu Nakitto, Manchester
I don't think this is a solution for the illegal African immigrants as the whole of Africa (excepting some countries) is poverty stricken. Africans travel from places as far as Bangui (central Africa) to the towns bordering Spain to enter the EU. So opening up job centres in Mali or Senegal will be of little importance. Prem T Vazirani, Libreville, Gabon
Mr Protasiewicz seems to forget that Poland is at the moment suffering from a shortage on the labour market since most of our low skilled workers emigrated to the UK or Ireland.I am outraged that my country's politicians can't look further than the end of their own nose. Joanna Bernacka, Poznan, Poland
