EU approves new migration rules

Two EU directives related to migration have been given the green light by all member states, which now have 24 months to transpose them into their national law books.

The rules are intended to make it easier for member states to attract highly-qualified migrants while introducing sanctions against employers who abuse immigrants.

The sanctions directive will put the onus on the employer rather than the abused migrant in the case of any clandestine work.

The directive imposes penal sanctions in the most serious cases and ensures the automatic recovery of unpaid wages. It also sets up a mechanism for lodging complaints and gives more rights to abused migrants to blow the "exploitation" whistle.

Many employers in the EU take on illegal immigrants to escape paying taxes while paying low wages. This has acted as a pull-factor for more migrants to cross over to the EU.

Malta is no exception and some employers have chosen to abuse the employment system and exploit migrants, mainly in the construction and catering sectors.

The so-called blue card directive was also given the final endorsement by the EU this week.

The new system is designed to act as a residence and work permit for two years (renewable) to compete with other popular destinations for qualified immigrants, via common criteria.

According to recent figures, in the EU's total employed population, 1.7 per cent are highly qualified workers from non-EU countries, compared to 9.9 per cent of migrants in Australia, 7.3 per cent in Canada, 3.2 per cent in the US and 5.3 per cent in Switzerland.

The blue card will not replace national admission systems but complement them.

Applicants wanting to work in the EU would have to meet wage criteria by obtaining a paid position of at least 1.5 times the average gross annual wage of the receiving country. This threshold may be lowered to 1.2 for certain professions suffering from a shortage of workers, such as the medical profession.

The applicants must also have a diploma giving official recognition of at least three years of higher education or proof of five years of equivalent professional experience.

In return, those admitted will be granted socio-economic rights, family reunification and the status of long-term resident or even the right to obtain a highly qualified job in another member state.

Welcoming the final rubber stamp on the directives, EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot said the two texts paved the way in Europe for "selective immigration", established by the European pact on immigration and asylum, adopted by member states last October.