Smoother procedures for residence permits, a talent pool and partnerships with countries such as Morocco and Egypt. The European Commission on Wednesday put measures on the table to make legal migration to Europe easier. “To put it simply, we cannot survive without labor migration,” said Vice-President Margaritis Schinas.
There are some 125,000 to 200,000 illegal migrants who reach the European Union every year, but every year, according to the Commission, 10 to 15 times more migrants come to the continent legally. According to Schinas, this is a clear win-win situation. “Migrants will have a chance to improve their conditions, host countries will have more skilled workers and the economy will benefit.”
For example, the Commission wants to revise the directive on the combined work and residence permit, with more guarantees for equal treatment and protection against labor exploitation. The holders of a permit will be able to change employers and in the event of short-term unemployment, the permit will not be revoked. The Commission also wants to simplify the admission requirements for long-term resident status, making it possible to cumulate periods of residence in different Member States.
The package also includes an operational part. For example, the Commission intends to launch the first talent partnerships with Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia by the end of this year. At a later stage, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Senegal and Nigeria would also be eligible. In addition, the Commission proposes to set up a European talent pool where migrants can register their skills and where they are matched with the needs of European employers. She wants to launch a pilot project for Ukrainians by the summer. This could be useful, for example, for schools looking for Ukrainian teachers.
Legal migration remains a competence of the Member States and they have never shown much willingness to cooperate intensively at European level in the past. However, Schinas believes that times have changed. Not only because the proposals are now framed in a global migration policy, in which the fight against illegal migration is also a priority, but also out of economic necessity. “Wherever I go, I hear from companies everywhere that they cannot find the people they need,” said the vice-chairman, who referred to the food industry, tourism and healthcare, among other things.
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