Brussels, 30/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 29 June, the Council gave its political agreement on the Commission's proposal aimed at establishing a single permit covering both work and residence for third country nationals, pending the EP civil liberties committee's endorsement on 12 July, and that of the September plenary, for finalisation of the dossier. The project, which aims to facilitate matters for nationals by bringing entry and work within a single permit (a single administrative procedure) in the 27 member states, had given rise to a certain amount of polemic with the EP and even within the EP. Last December, the Parliament had been unable to agree on the report by Véronique Mathieu (EPP), which was considered too close to member state positions. The Council and the EP, in particular, encountered difficulty regarding the request made by member states to ask for documents in addition to the permit or on the social rights of the third country workers, especially in terms of pension rights.
The agreement reached in the Council on Wednesday now relates to a more or less balanced approach between the two institutions, obtained after a series of trialogues. The Council was thus successful in ensuring that the decision by a state on the request for a single permit would not take place within three months, as advocated by the EP, but within four months, a source states. Member states will also have the possibility to include additional information on the work contract (salary, hours worked, etc) with a view to combating exploitation of third country nationals and illegal employment. This information may be contained in an additional paper document or electronic file.
On the side of the EP, concessions were made by the Council on pension rights. For example, third country workers may now be able to enjoy the transfer of their pension rights under the same conditions as nationals (originally from third countries) of the member state where they work, a source states. The principle of equal treatment also prevails for vocational training, access to advisory services provided by employment services, access to housing and to the right of association and affiliation in trade union organisations.
Another point - of importance to some EP groups - was however not settled. This concerned the famous “correspondence tables” allowing the Commission to verify transposition of the text by member states. These correspondence tables do not only relate to the single permit project but also to other directives such as the “qualifications” directive and that on sexual abuse of children. The Council and the EP must move forward on this subject in coming months, the source continues, and, if possible, before the EP takes a stance on the single permit in September this year. Although things should move relatively smoothly, one cannot rule out the risk that the EP will return to the subject of “tables” to refuse to endorse the deal, a Council sources state. (S.P./transl.jl)