EU considers introduction of 'green card' plan

[Kellanved]

AMSTERDAM — The European Union could launch a 'green card' system to attract expats with special skills into the bloc, it was revealed.

Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini told reporters permanent work visas based on "the American model" is one of the options the EU is considering as part of a plan to get EU members to agree on immigration rules, the Associated Press reported.

The move is part of a European Commission plan to stimulate public debate on the need to develop a comprehensive EU strategy to manage economic migration.

Frattini said economic migrants "represent an undeniable advantage to our member states" and would help the EU rival the US in competitiveness.

...
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=26&story_id=15691&name=EU+considers+introduction+of+%27green+card%27+plan

[Canuckistanian]

1. Smart Move

The talented professionals from other countries are considering their options more and more these days.
Given the current political climate in the US these days, these professionals are not automatically considering the US as an attractive option.
Border hassles, visa requirements, and outright politicization of science and technology policy are keeping them away in droves.
Europe is starting to look better all the time to these people, which will be a great loss to the US.

[eg101]

2. "competitiveness" == making everyone as poor&desperate as possible

THey are copying the h1b program from America so as to get as many third world programmers into the labor force, thereby driving up supply, and reducing wages, and increasing profits.

I bet the European citizens are too smart, too aware, and too united to let them get away with this....

[Cats Against Frist]

3. Do you think they'll take poets & horn players?

Does that count as "special skills?"

[Kellanved]

4. artists are pretty much unrestricted anyway

:shrug:

[leftofcool]

5. or artists and butchers and bakers..............

and maybe a few candle stick makers?

Left of cool