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21:01 GMT
BRUSSELS, Sept 15 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament Wednesday adopted the reform of the EU Blue Card scheme to facilitate the employment of highly qualified non-EU nationals and help alleviate labour shortages in key sectors in Europe.
The Blue Card regulation, in place since late 2009, defines the conditions of entry and residence that non-EU country nationals and their family members must meet to take up highly qualified employment in EU member states.
However, the scheme has not attracted enough of these much-needed workers, with only 36, 806 Blue Cards issued in the EU in 2019 with Germany issuing most of them.
The reform of the Blue Card scheme was backed by the Parliament with 556 votes to 105 and 31 abstentions.
Under the revised rules, applicants will need to present a work contract or a binding job offer of a minimum of six months as well as evidence of higher qualifications or professional skills. Currently, a 12-month contract or offer is required.
Refugees will also be able to apply for an EU Blue Card in members states other than the one where they received asylum.
Holders of an EU Blue Card will be able to move to another EU member state after an initial 12-month period in the country that first granted them the Blue Card.
They will also benefit from being reunited with family members swiftly through faster reunification procedures and access to the labour market for accompanying family members. (end)
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