On Thursday 23 March, the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties adopted the report by Javier Sanchez Moreno (S&D, Spanish) on the revision of the directive on the single work and residence permit for third country workers (see EUROPE 13130/6).
By 47 votes to 13 with no abstentions, MEPs decided to extend the scope of the directive to include the category of seasonal workers, persons authorised to stay on the basis of temporary protection and persons whose expulsion has been suspended on the basis of fact or law (but who are legally resident and are permitted to work).
They also agreed to reduce, from 4 months to 90 days, the maximum time limit for adopting a decision on a single permit application, while including in this time limit the whole procedure (verification of terms and requirements, as well as verification of the labour market situation, the recognition of qualifications, and, above all, the issuing of a visa).
An accelerated procedure of 45 days has been introduced for applications from people who have participated in the ‘EU Talent Partnership’ (legal labour migration) or who already hold a single permit in another Member State.
It will also be possible to change jobs more quickly, although conditions have been attached to this; single permit holders who are unemployed will also be able to keep their permit for 9 months (compared to 3 in the European Commission’s proposal) in order to find a job.
The single permit for workers who have suffered serious violations of their rights may also be extended by 12 months to allow them full access to the labour market and to seek new employment.
MEPs also approved the opening of negotiations with the EU Council by 53 votes to 6.
“We have reached a general agreement that strengthens the European Parliament’s position with regard to future interinstitutional negotiations and, at the same time, an ambitious and advanced position that represents an improvement of the directive and its role in attracting legal migration to the EU”, said the rapporteur, welcoming the situation.
“Firstly, we are making the procedure for obtaining a single permit as simple and quick as possible so that it becomes a useful tool for companies and workers from third countries. And secondly, we will guarantee equal treatment between third country workers and national workers, protecting them from exploitation and other illegal situations”.
The report will be submitted to the April plenary.
Link to the adopted report: https://aeur.eu/f/5za (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)