An EU migration policy that is far from coherent

The European Union is proposing to introduce a ‘Blue Card’ similar to the American ‘Green Card’, in an attempt to attract highly skilled personnel from other parts of the world to the European labour market. On 8 and 9 September, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will finalize its report on the proposal. We think the current plans disregard the interests of developing countries.

Many African countries are faced with a labour shortage as a result of migration. The ‘brain drain’ is particularly bad in sectors such as education and health care, and is therefore a major obstacle to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Zambia, for example, can train only 50 doctors per year and does everything in its power to persuade them to remain in Zambia.

More than a year ago, the European Union adopted a special action plan to help combat the shortage of healthcare personnel in developing countries. The introduction of the EU ‘Blue Card’ is diametrically opposed to this plan, and is expected to exacerbate the shortage of health workers in developing countries.

Europe must look within its own borders for the solution to its labour shortage, and should not attempt to solve the problem by luring highly skilled staff away from developing countries. In addition, it is important that European development aid is used to strengthen the health sector in developing countries. This will mean that doctors and nurses seeking a better future will not need to look to Europe, and health will be within everyone’s reach.

Peter Heintze and Cily Keizer, directors
Evert Vermeer Foundation and Wemos Foundation
Amsterdam

For more information on the blue card proposal: see our case study on the blue card