EU Blue Card Approved
On May 25, 2009, the Council of the European Union adopted the Blue Card Directive. The aim of this directive is to make it easier for highly skilled workers to immigrate to EU countries for work by creating a fast track procedure for the EU Blue Card. EU member states have two years now to comply with the new directive. You can read a copy of the press release announcing the acceptance of this directive here.
The adoption of this directive should not only help EU countries achieve growth in the face of an aging population and lower birthrates, but also benefit foreign workers, particularly from India.
German Resistance to Blue Card
An article in Germany's Deutsche Welle, Germany Suspicious About EU Blue Card Plan, expresses a number of common worries of several EU member states. The article states that Germany's primary concern is "that the EU might eventually impose quotas on the number of immigrants who can enter individual member states". The EU Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini, has said that Brussels will not attempt to determine how many individuals member states need...member states will choose for themselves. Member states also have the option of choosing not to adopt the Blue Card rather than blocking it all together.
UK Telegraph Article off the Mark
In this UK Telegraph article the author claims that now is a bad time for Brussels to propose it's "Blue Card Scheme". The author mentions problems with illegal immigration and strain on social services due to the influx of immigrants. The problem with his analysis is the Blue Card proposal would not increase illegal immigration, and the highly qualified workers it would attract would put more into social services than they would take out, strengthening the system rather than weakening it. I'm sure we'll see more of these claims as the Blue Card gets closer to reality.