Commission presents Action Plan on Integration and reforms ‘Blue Card’ scheme for highly skilled workers
June 7, 2016
Commission presents Action Plan on Integration and reforms ‘Blue Card’ scheme for highly skilled workers from outside the EU
The European Commission is presented an Action Plan to support Member States in the integration of third-country nationals and their economic and social contribution to the EU, as well as a legal proposal to reform the rules on highly skilled migrants coming to the EU to work, which will support European businesses in attracting qualified and talented people from around the world.
These initiatives follow up on the commitment in President Juncker’s Political Guidelines, which set legal migration as a priority for this Commission, and are in line with Today’s Action Plan is part of the set of actions announced in the European Agenda on Migration and the Commission’s Communication of 6 April 2016.
There is a clear risk that the cost of non-integration will be higher than the cost of investment in integration policies. Despite efforts by Member States, migrants and recognised refugees from third countries who are legally resident in the EU continue to face an increased risk of poverty or social exclusion. Whilst integration policies remain very much a national competence, in the current context many EU Member States are facing similar challenges, and the EU level can add value through the structural and financial support it provides.
Actions are proposed in key-areas such as: pre-departure and pre-arrival integration measures, in particular for people in clear need of international protection who are being resettled; education, employment and vocational training; access to basic services; and active participation and social inclusion. A more strategic and coordinated approach is also proposed for the use of EU funds to support national integration measures. Under the New Skills Agenda for Europe, the Commission will also support labour market integration with various tools to improve migrants’ skills and to recognise and benefit from their existing qualifications.