In Europe today we have been spoilt thinking everybody wants to come to our continent to work if they get the chance.
But it is time to take a look at the reality. Europe may have been a very attractive working market for people around the world, but that is changing. China and India are far more successful in attracting a skilled workforce whilst in Europe, complicated bureaucracy and scepticism towards immigrants scare people away.
Europe will increasingly rely on immigration to fill vacant jobs and ensure economic growth. Well managed immigration could address the problems of an ageing population and skill-shortage in many sectors. It is therefore regrettable that still today the labour market in many Member States is more favourable for EU citizens than for third country nationals. They are facing problems with higher unemployment rates and jobs of lower quality for which they are overqualified.
The solution is a proactive migration policy which attracts skilled migrants from third countries and an institutional framework that better utilises their skills and competences. That would create a win-win situation for both migrants and the EU labour market.
A proactive migration policy would solve labour market shortages in some areas and there is also evidence that shows that the skills of migrants are often complementary to the skills of other workers and that leads to a positive effect for employers and economic activity.
Immigration can also contribute to entrepreneurship, diversity and innovation. People coming to Europe are often strong and driven with a will and ability to contribute.
That is also true for asylum seekers. Those who are the worst off and in the most need of asylum, sadly never make it to Europe. The people who do come here have suffered terribly and have managed to rise from adversity. That shows ability that we should foster and care for.
Legislation to enable migration
The Blue Card Directive was adopted in 2009. This scheme was initiated to attract highly qualified workers from abroad into the EU in order to fill vacancies in the European labour market. It establishes simplified procedures and grants social and economic rights.
The Single Application Procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a MemberState and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a MemberState was adopted in 2011.
People from outside the EU who are legally living and working on EU territory shall enjoy the same rights as the EU-citizens as regards working conditions, social security and access to public services. This Directive is an important part of simplifying administrative rules by enabling foreign workers to obtain work and residence permits via a single procedure.
The Directive on Seasonal Workers shall secure better working conditions and social rights for seasonal workers in the fields of agriculture and tourism. The Directive is currently being negotiated.
The Directive on Intra-corporate Transfers shall set up rules to ease intra-corporate transfers for skilled workers from non-EU countries. The Directive is currently being negotiated.