To remain globally competitive, the EU must become more appealing to talents from all over the world. Currently, highly skilled individuals from third countries are more inclined to choose North America or Oceania over the EU. A significant first step towards improving the EU’s attractiveness was the recent revision of the “EU Blue Card” directive, which will grant highly skilled migrants enhanced rights, particularly the right to move and work in other EU countries, along with faster and simplified procedures.
Enhancing attractiveness should also encompass other migrant categories and be accompanied by measures to combat labor exploitation and discrimination. Additionally, the ability to facilitate the matching of labor supply and demand poses a challenge in an international context characterized by increasing competition for skills and talents.
Two current obstacles are the length and complexity of immigration procedures and the diversity of requirements among member states. Moreover, there is difficulty in connecting talents from third countries with potential employers within the EU.
The Communication from the Commission to the EU Institutions
The Attracting skills and talent to the EU Communication outlines a pragmatic and gradual approach towards an ambitious and sustainable EU policy on legal migration, aimed at attracting the necessary skills and talents to address labor shortages and respond to demographic changes in Europe. These measures will support the EU’s economic recovery post-COVID-19, as well as its digital and green transitions while creating safe channels to Europe and reducing irregular migration.
To attract the needed skills and talents, the EU must build a more appealing and efficient system. This requires a revision of the legislative framework, strengthened cooperation with partner countries, better migration governance involving all key stakeholders, and potentially exploring new areas of intervention.
The Commission will fully play its role in formulating and implementing this renewed approach and encourages strong commitment and active engagement from all stakeholders: the European Parliament, the Council and Member States, economic and social actors, other stakeholders, and interested partner countries.
In this context, the Commission will organize a high-level conference in the third quarter of 2022 to launch the new EU platform on labor migration and further pave the way towards a sustainable EU policy on legal migration.
