Immigration - 26-09-2007 - 16:46
MEPs debated and voted today on two own-initiative reports relating to a policy plan for legal migration and the priorities in the fight against illegal immigration. The Chamber opened the door to the possibility of establishing an EU work permit for highly skilled workers (the so-called blue card) and defended that illegal immigration cannot be countered unless means and channels of legal immigration are established at the same time.
The own-initiative report, aimed to elaborate a plan on legal migration, "supports the creation of an EU work permit" -Known as the blue card, similar idea to the current US green card- "to facilitate the free movement of 'brains' within Europe and the transfer of personnel within multinational companies".
MEPs also ask to bring forward a study on the possible implementation of the blue-card system but reminded that defining the specific needs and quotas for economic migrants remains a Member State competence. EC Vice-president Franco Frattini will present Commission's legislative proposal on the blue-card system next 23 October.
Europe needs economic migrants, stressed MEPs. "the reality of ageing and demographic changes necessitate rethinking immigration policies since the current and future situations of the EU labour markets can be broadly described as in demand of well-managed legal immigration".
The text adopted supports the intention of the Commission to define the conditions of entry and stay for other selected categories of economic immigrants, including unskilled or low-skilled workers. [Read more]
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