Brussels, 13/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 13 July, the commissioner for internal affairs, Cecilia Malmström, proposed a new directive to help multinational companies temporarily transfer non-EU skilled workers from a company located outside the EU to branches or subsidiaries in EU member states. Around 20,000 senior level employees from third countries with much sought-after profiles could benefit from this initiative. Companies outside the EU are faced with a multitude of different rules and procedures when they want to send key staff to their subsidiaries within the different EU member states. In addition, procedures for getting work permits in some EU countries are slow and complex and intra-corporate transferees face difficulties in moving between member states. The Commission proposes to create a common set of rules for a new fast-track entry procedure (30 days time-limit, combined residence/work permit) for a targeted group of highly specialised staff (“manager”, “specialist” and “graduate trainee”) from non-EU countries. The proposal also aims at establishing more attractive residence conditions for these staff and their families and an easier system for non-EU transferees to facilitate their mobility within the EU. This would be complemented by a clear legal status including the same working conditions as workers posted by an EU company. EU member states would, however, remain responsible for the number of transferees and provisions to ensure the temporary nature of the migrations (3 years maximum for specialists and managers, 1 year for graduate trainees). (B.C./transl.fl)