IMMIGRATION : EP REJECTS SINGLE PERMIT FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS.

After a left-right confrontation, a majority of MEPs rejected a draft directive that would have created a single work and residence permit for long-term (over three months) immigrant workers in the European Union, on 14 December 2010 in Strasbourg.

Rapporteur Veronique Mathieu (EPP, France) was surprised to see her report rejected by the Liberals, since she thought she had a "political agreement" with Parliament's third largest group. The Liberals decided to drop their support, however, because at the request of the Netherlands in particular, the EPP tabled an amendment authorising national authorities to oblige workers to present "additional" residence documents.

"The Democrats and Liberals in the European Parliament firmly support the idea of a single permit for third-country nationals who wish to reside or work in a member state of the Union," explained Guy Verhofstadt (Belgium), head of the Liberal group. "But the Council insisted that member states be allowed to require additional documents from applicants. This is contrary to the spirit of the initial proposal."

"A political betrayal is always disappointing," reacted Mathieu.

"DISCRIMINATION"

The Socialists and Greens voted against the draft that they claim discriminates against other immigrant workers. "Equal treatment is the key to any economic integration policy. This directive is insufficient because it excludes people who need protection, such as short-term and seasonal workers," explained Alejandro Cercas...