MEPs back controversial scheme for 'highly-qualified' migrants[fr][de] 

The Blue Card scheme, a European Commission initiative to attract highly-skilled migrants to fill Europe's labour and skill gaps, has met with considerable support ever since it was first tabled in October 2007. 

Most EU policymakers agree on the necessity of such a scheme to offset North American competition in the race for the best minds. 

Nonetheless, it soon became clear that opinions differed wildly between member states and political parties as to the definition of 'highly-qualified labour'. The amended text approved by the committee contains a compromise definition which is bound to prove controversial. 

Basic requirements include higher education qualifications – at least three years of study – or professional qualifications supported by at least five years of work experience. 

Migrants will, however, have to secure a contract for 1.7 times the gross average wage of the country where they will be working before their arrival. 

Parliament rapporteur Ewa Klamt (EPP-ED, Germany) sees this as a step in the right direction. Klamt explained that while in her native Germany there was a lack of 95,000 engineers, the education system could only produce 20,000, highlighting the need not to lose out on skilled migrant labour. 

Yet a vocal minority is very critical. UK Green MEP Jean Lambert commented that while "the Blue Card initiative has real potential […], the vote in committee has signalled a half-hearted approach". "Measures such as migrant workers needing to earn 1.7 times the average salary put added restrictions on an already limited scheme," she explained. 

Some member states and left-wing parties pushed for a more balanced policy, including a minimum wage equivalent to 1.3 times the national average wage. Higher requirements, backed by Germany, could in fact undo the benefits of the scheme, they argued. 

With the Blue Card scheme now sailing through Parliament, the Commission will table three more proposals to facilitate the mobility of third country nationals in the next few months, targeting seasonal workers, remunerated trainees and intra-corporate transferees.