EU to propose 'blue card' for skilled immigrants

Honor Mahony

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission has announced that it is considering radical new plans to overhaul its immigration policy to counter Europe's ageing population.

EU justice commissioner Franco Frattini said on Thursday (13 September) that he will unveil proposals for an EU blue card - similar to the US' green card - at a meeting of EU justice ministers next month.

He pointed out that only five percent of the migrants that come to Europe are skilled. This contrasts strongly to the US where 55 percent of the immigrants are skilled.

"We have to reverse these figures with a new vision," said Mr Frattini.

"The challenge is to attract the workers needed to fill specific gaps", he said, pointing out that the EU's working-age population would be in decline by 2011, and a third of the bloc's population would be over 65 by 2050.

According to last year's figures, about 4% of the EU population, or 18.5 million people, is made up of non-EU citizens.

The blue card - the blue comes from the EU flag - would allow skilled workers to work in an EU member state for an initial two-year period. They would then be able to move to another EU country.

Under the proposals, to be unveiled on 23 October, the immigrants would also gain long-term residency status more quickly.

Mr Frattini also said he would make a second proposal on boosting the rights of legal immigrants to put them on a standing with EU citizens, particularly concerning social security and working conditions.

The issue is set to be a major topic at the forthcoming EU-Africa summit in December - with scores of Africans dying every week during the summer months as they try to make it to southern EU member states in boats.

Speaking about 'brain drain' from the African continent, Mr Frattini said his proposal will "promote ethical recruitment standards" to limit active recruitment policies in countries losing a high number of their own skilled workers to emigration.

Mr Frattini's proposal - set to be hotly contested among member states wary of Brussels governing immigration policy - is part of a series of proposals in the area.

Before the summer, the commissioner announced tough penalties for companies hiring illegal immigrants.

The commissioner's announcement came as France mulled controversial proposals of its own on immigrants.

The government is considering the introduction of DNA testing for families of immigrants to prove that they are related.

"No subject should be taboo," said Brice Hortefeux, head of the French Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-development, according to AFP after a parliamentary committee approved the amendment on Thursday.

The government's entire immigration bill is to be studied by the lower house of parliament next week.

There is already high controversy surrounding the bill, which toughens visa requirements for those wanting to come to France.