Ylva Johansson- Photo © European Union 2022
(BRUSSELS) – The EU Commission proposed Wednesday a set of legal, operational and policy initiatives to improve migration management to the benefit of the EU economy and strengthen cooperation with non-EU countries.
The set of proposals also includes specific actions to facilitate integration of those fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine into the EU’s labour market.
“Annually, 2 to 3 million nationals from non-EU countries come to the EU legally, in contrast to 125,000 to 200,000 irregular arrivals,” said the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson: “Legal migration is essential to our economic recovery, the digital and green transition and to creating safe channels to Europe, while reducing irregular migration.”
With a view to providing a more effective framework for legal pathways to the EU, the Commission is proposing to revise the Single Permit Directive and the Long-Term Residents Directive.
- A streamlined procedure for the single permit for combined work and residence will make the process quicker and easier for applicants and employers. It will allow applicants to lodge applications from both non-EU countries and EU Member States and will also enhance safeguards for equal treatment and protection from labour exploitation.
- The revision of the Long-term Residents Directive will make it easier to acquire the EU long-term residence status by simplifying the admission conditions, for instance by allowing the cumulation of residence periods in different Member States. In addition, the revision will enhance the rights of long-term residents and their family members, including improvements to family reunification and facilitated intra-EU mobility.
The Commission’s initiative includes stepping up operational cooperation at EU level between Member States as well as with partner countries. It says work is already advanced with a number of key initiatives to match labour market and skills needs of Member States and partner countries. Following the launch of Talent Partnerships in June 2021, the Commission is now proposing a number of steps to operationalise them with the aim of agreeing on the first Talent Partnerships by the end of 2022.
The Commission is proposing to establish the first EU-wide platform and matching tool, an EU Talent Pool, to make the EU more attractive for non-EU nationals looking for opportunities and help employers find the talent they need. To address the urgent need to facilitate access to the labour market for new arrivals from Ukraine, the Commission is proposing a pilot initiative that should be up and running by summer 2022.
Finally, the Commission is exploring further potential avenues for legal migration to the EU in the medium to longer term. The Commission sees the potential for focusing on forward-looking policies around three areas of action: care, youth and innovation. The aim will be to: Attract skills and talent in sectors where there are labour shortages and needs, for example in the long-term care sector; Create opportunities for young people to explore new countries, to benefit from work and travel; and Promote innovation entrepreneurship within the EU and invest in our European tech sovereignty.
Communication: Attracting Skills and Talent to the EU
Revised Single Permit Directive
Revised Long Term Residents Directive
Attracting skills and talent to the EU - background guide
