Brussels, 26/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - Several associations representing European industry have welcomed the proposals made by the Commission concerning the creation of a “blue card” for highly-qualified immigrants wishing to come and live and work in the EU. “The European Commission rightly decided to tackle the issue of legal migration focusing on certain categories of employees”, said Hans-Werner Müller, Secretary General of UEAPME, the employer organisation representing the interests of the craft and SME sector in Europe, at European level. “Improving the integration in the labour market of the unemployed, which are an untapped source of talent, should remain high on the list of priorities”, he added. Mr Müller also lent his support to the other communication of the Commission on the rights of migrant workers. “Employees cannot and should not be discriminated on the grounds of nationality when it comes to working conditions, salary and social security”, he concluded. “Of course, immigration alone cannot resolve the deficit which exists on the market for qualified labour, but it can help”, said Manfred Wittenstein, President of the VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V.), the professional association of producers of machines and installations, which is based in Frankfurt. According to a study carried out by the VDMA, the mechanical engineering industry, which employs 915,000 in Germany, is lacking between 8000 and 9000 engineers and thousands of qualified workers. “Engineers coming from abroad are neither expedients nor competitors” for the national specialists, Mr Wittenstein clarified. He went on to describe the skills of these workers as very useful, particularly concerning languages or their knowledge of foreign markets. (B.C.)