Brussels, 03/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - For two days, 26 and 27 November, the European Parliament welcomed MPs from the Member States to discuss the topical issues of European politics in several fields of Justice and home affairs.
One of the main points discussed between the parliamentarians focused on the future directive which will bring in penalties for the employers of illegal immigrants, which was presented last May by the Commission (EUROPE 9428). This directive is vital, but only if it is part of the bigger picture of the fight against illegal immigration, explained the Spanish member Ana Mato (EPP-ED), who was responsible for drawing up the position of the committee on employment of the EP on this subject. “The approach would be slightly distorted if it applied only to employers, without dealing with those who engage in the trafficking of human beings, border controls, etc”, she said. Claudio Fava (PES, Italy), who is the rapporteur on this text, also voiced reservations on the proposal, as it provides for sanctions only against employers who exploit illegal immigrants from third countries. “There are just as many Polish and Romanian citizens doing black-market work and they are completely exploited”, he said, receiving the support of many of the Polish National MPs. Mr Fava also spoke of the need to clarify who, in the chain of employment, should be held responsible (the sub contractor or the final employer). The Greek National MP Athanassios Plevris concluded that Europe should not be afraid to implement a “quota system”, allowing each Member State to decide on the number of immigrants it is able to welcome as part of a sustainable migration policy. It is worth noting that the vote at first reading (co-decision) at the EP on this proposed directive is planned for the April 2008 session in Brussels. The other important point debated by the parliamentarians related to the fight against terrorism and data protection, most notably by means of the EU/United States PNR agreement, which has come in for much criticism from the MEPs (EUROPE 9458, 9553). “Cooperation with third countries on the transfer of personal data is an essential element if we are to ensure security in the field of transport”, said the Portuguese deputy Secretary of State, José Magalhaes, whose country currently chairs the Council of the EU. “That said, we must use all the clauses of the agreements signed with the government of the United States to ensure an effective control of data protection and mobilise our citizens so that they can use their right of appeal”. Peter Schaar, President of the “Article 29” group, however, criticised the recent agreement which, he believes, infringes data protection laws. “In reality, personal data are no better protected than the data of the 25 million British citizens which were recorded on CD and then lost in the post”, the British MP Lord Michael Jopling, speaking alongside him, stated. Lord Jopling also voiced his criticism of the Commission's record: “the representatives of the Commission are terrible negotiators. There is not one of them I would send to sell my cows at market”. (B.C.)