Non-EU workers to be let in to fill gaps

The European Commission wants European-wide rules for immigrants coming to the European Union to work which are flexible but recognise the reality of the situation. As Antonio Vitorino, the justice and home affairs commissioner, who is responsible for the topic, said: "Immigration is not a problem, nor is it a solution. It is a fact".

The commission plans a directive to cover the conditions under which citizens from states outside the EU will be allowed to enter the EU to work (other forms of immigration are not dealt with by the directive).

The basic points are that, in general, employees from outside the EU should not be brought in if existing workers, either EU citizens or non-EU citizens already present, could fill the jobs. Individual employers would therefore have to wait for a period of four weeks before looking outside the EU.

In addition to this member states would be able to have special national programmes to cover sectoral shortages, for example of teachers, computer staff or seasonal workers. Employers could also be asked to pay towards programmes providing training for immigrant workers and helping them to integrate in the local community. Workers coming in under these arrangements should not be subject to any form of discrimination.

The new EU proposals come a few days after the publication of an official German report, which made it clear that "Germany needs immigrants".