EU reached agreement on introduction of "blue card"

The officials of European Union agreed today (October 22, 2008) on the plan for introduction of "blue card", of which aim is to attract highly educated manpower from the developing countries and it represents European equivalent to US "green card".

"Blue card", which will be issued on maximum 4 years, will enable candidates to get work permit faster and it will make it easier for the migrant's family to join him, find accommodation and get permit for long-time stay.

The purpose of introduction of "blue card" is to enhance competitiveness of the Union in regard to the USA and other western countries when it comes to attracting technology experts and hospital staff from the developing countries, which is necessary in order for the gaps in the labor market to be filled.

Skilled foreign workers make 1.7% of total number of workers-immigrants in EU, while that percentage in Australia amounts to 9.9%, 7.3% in Canada and 3.2% in the USA.

However, the analysts warn that the introduction of "blue card" program is not going to be enough to attract skilled workers and that it will not match the US "green card" because the migrants are offered access to only one member of the Union, and not to the unique European market.

After working for 18 months with "blue card" in one country of EU, the immigrant and his family will be able to move and work in another EU country, but he will also have to apply for new "blue card" within one month.

Introduction of the new regulation was demanded by the countries within EU, including Germany, which were determined to maintain the national independence of their labor markets.