Call for EU to maintain open employment market

The EU is being urged to maintain an open labour market as it looks to recover from the economic crisis.

EU legislation concerning ICTs, which would facilitate the entry to the labour market of skilled non-EU workers, was the subject of a European Policy Centre debate on Tuesday.

The regulations would simplify rules on the movement of employees of multinational corporations to branches within in the EU.

Opening the debate, Maria Åsenius, head of European home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmström's cabinet, gave her backing to the new directive.

Åsenius said that although the economic crisis still has a firm grip on countries, the EU should welcome the "positive force" of migration.

While some vacancies may be difficult to identify, Åsenius said there are 64000 jobs available in numerous industries across the EU.

For Åsenius, the new ICT directive is "vital" to the EU labour markets to make it more attractive and competitive.

"The EU needs to remain open and competitive if it is to reach its EU 2020 goals," she said.

Ameet Nivsarker, vice president of global trade and development of NASSCOM, an Indian software company, said the directive not only benefits the workers but could boost business as well as "competition, knowledge and transferable skills".

"A flexible and mobilised workforce in a globalised world will definitely help the crisis," he said.

However, he called for a more harmonised visa process.

"Time requirements for visas take too long, it is inefficient and expensive," he added.

Jan Mulder, ALDE MEP and shadow rapporteur for the directive, said that the proposal was still in the early stages, but the first impression was "a positive one".

He also raised questions over why it is necessary for the ICT to be employed 12 months prior to being able to transfer, and over penalties for member states which do not adhere to the regulation.

Karl Cox, vice-president of public policy and corporate affairs of the Oracle business software firm, said the commission had taken a "valid approach" to ICTs and mobility in the EU is "very important".

"As a whole the ICT directive is a good one. Improvements are still needed but working to facilitate movement of ICTs in the EU is a welcomed proposal," he said.

However, John Monks, general secretary of the European trade union confederation, said that a lot more consideration should be given to the political implications in this area.

He said, "European trade unions are not protectionist and trying to keep foreigners out. We believe in free movement of labour in the 27 countries and recognise that a movement is essential outside of the EU and part of its obligations.

"But, does the door have to be so wide? We must consider control mechanisms and vital protections for people already here.

"There is still nine per cent unemployment in the EU which immigration seems to ignore."

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