Today, Greece’s parliament moves to approve a migration law that reshapes its foreign labor system. The move places Greece alongside Italy as another southern European country responding to worker shortages by widening state-managed intake linked to Pakistan and India.
Officials frame the shift as an economic response, not a political gesture. Pressure is building across tourism, construction, and agriculture as Greece heads toward the 2026 season.
Labor Pressure Forces a Policy Shift
Greece’s labor gaps have reached a critical point. Employers across islands and mainland regions report shortages that now affect operations, not just growth. The new law adjusts how workers are brought into the system and how long they stay within it.
Athens expands formal recruitment cooperation with non-EU countries, including Pakistan and India, mirroring steps already taken by Italy. The aim is stability. Officials say predictable labor supply now matters as much as border control.
The law also reduces disruption inside the workforce. Authorities want fewer permit breaks and less seasonal turnover. Analysts say this signals longer-term planning rather than short term fixes.
Why Pakistan and India Are Central
South Asia plays a key role in Europe’s labor supply. Greece’s focus on Bangladesh, Pakistan and India reflects existing labor networks and employer demand, not a sudden policy pivot. Work force intake from Egpyt is also under consideration.
The signal also resonates across the UAE, where many South Asian workers monitor European labor trends. Observers say Greece’s move suggests southern Europe is adjusting systems to compete for workers through official channels.
At the same time, the government tightens enforcement against illegal migration and trafficking. Athens pairs labor intake with stricter controls, aiming to keep migration within state oversight.
What This Signals Going Forward
In the weeks ahead, attention will turn to how quickly Greece’s new framework takes effect and how employers respond. Italy’s earlier move has already shifted expectations across regional labor markets.
For Europe, the pattern is clear. Economic demand is reshaping migration systems. Greece’s decision places it firmly inside that shift as 2026 approaches.
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M. Arshad is a Senior Correspondent specializing in EU-South Asian migration policy and international labor corridors, with over 12 years of experience reporting on bilateral trade agreements.