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To stress the point of view of the Local and Regional Authorities regarding the Proposal of the EC on Legal Migration.
To formulate further suggestions to improve the Proposal.
To point out that measures for the recruitment of third-country nationals in occupations requiring high-level skills should aim not only to attract immigrants but also to create conditions conducive to their remaining in the EU and integrating effectively.
To emphasise that the issue of recognition of qualifications will be particularly relevant in the case of a category of persons who are for the first time becoming potential beneficiaries of the scheme: recognised refugees.
To propose an in-depth and reliable analysis of the outflow of highly skilled workers from third countries and of the potential of a brain drain.

THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

- Welcomes the recognition that the Blue Card may be granted not only to workers arriving in the EU.

- Considers that clarification is needed as to why this option should be available only to recognised refugees. The proposed Directive explicitly excludes from this possibility seasonal and posted workers, as well as persons whose application for refugee status is pending. While understanding the political reasons for this decision, the Committee of the Regions considers that opening up a path to employment commensurate with qualifications for other categories of person residing in the EU could result in better use of human capital.

- Points out that measures for the recruitment of third-country nationals in occupations requiring high-level skills should aim not only to attract immigrants but also to create conditions conducive to their remaining in the EU and integrating effectively.

- Suggests that the issue of the employment of highly skilled workers should be treated in a holistic and comprehensive way appropriate to the logic of the migration process: from recruitment, via admission and identification of skills, to effective integration (and circulation, where their employment conditions require this).

- Proposes that the role of the local and regional partners be considered in various contexts, such as in relation to: the establishment of experimental fast-track systems in partnership between regions, countries and the private sector; the effective sharing of best practice, especially in connection with recognition of qualifications and reducing structural mismatches and boosting the effectiveness of integration; and the implementation of solutions ensuring the best possible match between formal qualifications and the needs of local and regional labour markets.