EU ‘blue card’ to lure skilled-labour

stubor

这条新闻居然几个人都发给我看$汗$


By Laura Dixon in Brussels

Published: October 23 2007 12:33 | Last updated: October 23 2007 12:33

The European Commission is proposing an EU-wide work permit to allow highly-skilled non-Europeans to work within the 27-member bloc in a bid to remedy an expected shortfall of 20m workers in the next 20 years.

The European ‘blue card’, named after the blue flag of the EU, will be similar to the green card in the US, allowing targeted migration to combat skills shortages within member states.

Franco Frattini, the Justice Commissioner, who is behind the proposals, has said that while the US receives more than half of all skilled labour, only 5 per cent comes to the EU. Member states, however, receive some 85 per cent of unskilled labour.

The blue card aims to create a single application procedure for non-EU workers to reside and work within the EU and to establish a common set of rights for workers resident in member states.

Under the proposed system, workers would be able to come to an EU member state to work for two years. After that, they could apply for a one-year extension to stay within the same country or move to another European country.

The Commission wants to present a united approach to legal migration across the 27-member bloc, however, the UK, Denmark and Ireland may opt out of the plan.

The Commission argues that targeted migration is essential to maintain and improve economic growth.

“The EU as a whole ... seems not to be considered attractive by highly qualified professionals in a context of very high international competition,” the text will say.

Europe’s attempt to attract migrant skilled workers comes as it faces a serious demographic challenge. By 2050 some 25m Europeans are expected to retire and one third will be over 65 years of age, according to the Commission.

The proposals have already faced opposition from trade unions, who fear the blue card could undermine training opportunities for EU workers. The Commission has said, however, that EU citizens will continue to have priority access to the labour markets of other member states.

According to Reuters, a migrant would need an EU job contract of at least one year, guaranteeing a salary of at least three times the minimum wage in the country concerned plus health insurance, to qualify for a blue card.

[ 本帖最后由 stubor 于 2007-10-23 16:02 编辑 ]

stubor

BBC 的版本

The European Commission is set to unveil a Blue Card for skilled immigrants, based on the US Green Card.

The card would allow suitably qualified people and their families to live and work within the EU.

The EU says it needs 20 million skilled immigrants over the next 20 years, and is very short of expertise in engineering and computer technology.

Correspondents say another aim of the proposal is to deter the best brains from emigrating to the US to find work.

The BBC's Mark Mardell in Brussels says the plan is controversial and some countries are sure to oppose it.

Critics also fear that Europe's attempt to take the best and leave the rest will only encourage a brain-drain from poorer nations.

Creating 'EU magnet'

The UK, Ireland and Denmark could opt out, but the other EU members will have to take part.

       
PROPOSED 'BLUE CARD'
1，Points system for skills and languages
2，Attached to individual, rather than job
3，Residence permit and work permit in one
4，Britain, Ireland and Denmark likely to opt out

EU pins hopes on 'blue card'
Send us your views

UK ministers say officially they are studying it, but our correspondent says they are not keen on the idea, preferring to develop a points system.

Under the proposals, due to be unveiled on Tuesday afternoon, a Blue Card would enable holders and their families to live, work and travel within the EU.

To be eligible for the card, new immigrants would need to show a recognised diploma, have at least three years professional experience and the offer of a job which could not be filled by an EU citizen.

"To maintain and improve economic growth in the EU, it is essential for Europe to become a magnet for the highly skilled," the European Commission said in a statement.

"...To do so, the EU must present a united front, rather than emphasise the different immigration policies of each member state."

The plan will need the approval of all member states to come into force.

Some politicians in the Netherlands and Germany are hostile and the Austrian government has condemned the plan as "a centralisation too far".

There is a real tension between politicians all over Europe, who know their voters are worried about immigration, and businesses which say they will not be able to function without the skills of graduates from India and China, our correspondent says.

Samstag

众口难调，还不定啥时候能实施呢！不过还好他们意识到了这个问题！

雨蝶

only 5 per cent comes to the EU. Member states, however, receive some 85 per cent of unskilled labour.

看到这句话笑死了;) ;)

等他们制定好了法律，我估计我们都要退休了。而且看起来也不是那么吸引人

pinguo

按照德国的效率，估计差不多我老了，干不动了才会生效吧？！ :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: