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Shortage of skilled workers in border areas: what responses to the exodus of skilled workers?

The discussions highlighted issues common to several borders, notably competition regarding wages with neighbouring countries. In particular, the regions bordering Switzerland and Luxembourg are suffering from an exodus of skilled workers, attracted by much higher salaries.

Data from France Travail confirms a 12.5% drop in recruitment intentions in 2025, against a backdrop of persistent tensions in health, construction and industrial sectors. Border regions are often harder hit, despite unemployment rates that are sometimes lower than the national average.

Speeches by local stakeholders, such as the Nord Department and AGURAM, emphasised the urgent need for appropriate responses, including better cross-border coordination, the development of joint training courses and the promotion of short-staffed occupations. François Gsell, a manufacturer based in Haut-Doubs, near the Swiss border, spoke of the systematic departure of young people trained locally to Switzerland, denouncing a net loss for French companies, and warned of the harmful effects of this dynamic on local competitiveness and the survival of industrial SMEs on the French side.

Together with all the partners concerned, the MOT intends to develop a collective, practical strategy based on a bottom-up approach, closely linked to local realities. An initial presentation of the group's work is scheduled for the MOT General Assembly on the 1st and 2nd of July in Savoie. A second meeting, scheduled for October 13th, will then provide an opportunity to work together on the solutions that will feed into future advocacy.

Map of cross-border worker flows at the French borders