MEPs debate and vote on the reform of the EU’s Blue Card directive, to facilitate the employment of highly qualified third country nationals in Europe. The revised directive on entry and residence conditions foresees more flexible criteria and expands the rights of beneficiaries. Extracts from the debate (14/09), extracts from the vote and statement by Javier MORENO SÁNCHEZ (S&D,ES), rapporteur on the EU Blue Card Directive.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

vote

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

European Blue Card (T)

EU Blue Card Directive: extracts from the debate (14/09), extracts from the vote and statement by Javier MORENO SÁNCHEZ (S&D,ES), rapporteur

Title: EU Blue Card Directive: extracts from the debate (14/09), extracts from the vote and statement by Javier MORENO S&#193;NCHEZ (S&amp;D,ES), rapporteur

Exterior shots of EP in Strasbourg, France

SOUNDBITE (French), Javier MORENO S&#193;NCHEZ (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, Today we voted in plenary in Strasbourg the revision of the Blue Card, which is the directive that establishes the standards and working conditions of residence for highly skilled foreign workers. It is important to do this at the moment because it is necessary to develop all the dimensions of the migration and asylum pact. And when I say all the dimensions, it's not just controlling our borders, fighting against irregular immigration, it's not just fighting human traffickers, but it's also opening up legal avenues. Besides, we need these workers. That is why it was necessary to facilitate their access conditions and their working and residence conditions.

SOUNDBITE (French), Javier MORENO S&#193;NCHEZ (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, The most important thing is the added value of this Blue Card : mobility. The point of having a European card is that if I work in France, I have the possibility of going to work in Italy afterwards, I do not have to do the whole procedure again so that we can move forward and exchange. And that's not only important for the worker, but also for companies. If I'm the director of a tech box and I have a good Indian director, but I need it in Paris I can get him to Paris as quickly as possible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Nearly 60 percent of businesses in Europe say they cannot find people with the right skills. Our societies also needs doctors, engineers, chemists and teachers. We are losing the global race for talent. At the moment, highly educated migrants prefer North America, Australia and New Zealand to Europe. With this agreement on the blue card, we can catch up in this race. The blue card is a residence permit for highly qualified workers to come to the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, You show that Europe can unite on migration. You show that Europe can find compromises on migration. You show that Europe can turn from a blocked situation into a situation where strengthened and better legal pathways to the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tatjana &#381;DANOKA (Greens/EFA, LV), EMPL Committee member, A compromise is a compromise and we have to mention now positive changes in what concerns equal treatment cardholders, equal treatment with nationals as regards to working conditions, education, Social Security and recognition of diplomas.

SOUNDBITE (English), Se&#225;n KELLY (EPP, IE), It's act now and ensured that the EU retains its top class workforce so that the EU remains competitive is a great location for talented and ambitious people, male and female, to find exciting and rewarding careers in a continent devoid of warfare and perpetual danger and rich diversity in any country in the world.

SOUNDBITE (French), Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&amp;D, FR), This stage is welcome in the construction of European politics, which respects individual rights and faces up to the challenges in the area of labour. We have seen that there's been a lot of manipulation about this, but this is reality.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO), The new instrument will allow access to highly qualified workers, as well as highly skilled workers with proven work experience of at least three years in the area and beneficiaries of international protection within employment contracts of only six months. EU blue card holders will no longer be subject to a labour market test if they want to change jobs after one year. Even when their family members want to reunite within the union, they will no longer be restricted from accessing a job. And member states will also ensure that blue card card holders and their family members do not enjoy a lower level of procedural safeguards and rights than those holders of national residence permits.