An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament voted to support the EU’s “Blue Card” scheme to attract highly-skilled immigrants. Modeled on the the US “Green Card” system, the Blue Card gets its name from the EU flag, which is blue with twelve yellow stars.
This proposed Blue Card is designed to attract highly qualified workers from third countries by providing access to all of the Member States. The card will not replace national systems, but is an additional channel of attraction with a common grant procedure. Until now, many highly-skilled migrants have preferred the US, Australia or Canada over the EU, because of the fragmentation of the EU labour markets. The Blue Card is meant to turn this tide.
The European Parliament, in addition to backing the scheme, also called for a clearer framework, more precise definitions, and more flexibility for the Member States. The eligibility requirements stipulate that an applicant must have found a job in the EU, and have a minimum of five years’ experience in the relevant economic sector or a university qualification recognized by the Member State. The employment contract must guarantee an income of at least 1.7 times the average gross salary in the Member State of residence and such salary must not be lower than that of a comparable worker in the host country.
The Blue Card also includes social protection; holders will be entitled to social welfare coverage in the appropriate Member State. It also provides for family reunification, i.e. the cardholders’ spouses will also be able to seek jobs in the EU. Furthermore, in the event that holders lose their jobs, they have six months to find new jobs. Moreover, holders who have spent three years in a first EU country of residence are assured access to the other Member States. The normal period of validity of the Card would be three years, renewable for an additional two years. If the employment contract is of a shorter duration, the card should be granted for that duration plus six months.
The Member States are granted wide discretion in granting Blue Cards. Not only will each Member State be able to decide how many Blue Cards they issue each year, they can also refuse to grant the card to migrants who meet the criteria. Furthermore, preference may be given to EU citizens as well as unemployed third country nationals, in order to accomodate labour market policy.
The European Parliament included a caveat that this proposal should not facilitate a “brain drain” from third countries, after criticism from African countries who fear losing skilled human capital in the health and education sectors.
The UK and Ireland have decided not to opt-in to the Blue Card system.
Source: Press Release, European Parliament Press Service, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/, http://www.amref.org/news/eu-blue-card-rubs-salt-into-wound-of-hurting-nations/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Card_(European _Union).
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