The European Commission today presented its first proposal for measures to address legal immigration in the EU, including a proposed ‘blue card’ for EU immigrants. Commenting on the proposals, UK Green and immigration spokesperson Jean Lambert said:
"The proposed blue card for skilled workers is a welcome start as regards recognising that the EU will benefit from an increase in legal migration. This blue card is supposed to make the EU more attractive as a destination in the global ‘talent war’, but the Commission risks undermining its own goal. It is regretful that the Commission is proposing restrictions on mobility within the EU to accompany the card.”
"Mobility is one of the fundamental freedoms in the EU and restrictions for one group of EU residents smacks of double standards. Instead of true mobility, it seems highly skilled workers will now be faced with a system of ‘aggregation of periods’ whereby free movement can be granted only after years of employment.”
"The linking of the ‘blue card’ initiative with the presentation of a general directive on minimum rights for migrant workers (concerning access to education, training and more) is certainly welcome and reflects the need for a comprehensive approach to migration policy. It is in line with the principles on rights for third country nationals, outlined in Tampere 1999, which set out that they should be as close to those of EU-citizens as possible. The debate on migration at EU-level has been far too preoccupied with irrational crackdowns on illegal immigration but the reality is that the possibility of legal immigration is crucial to a coherent approach to the issue. The Commission has made a tentative start at last."