Brussels, 20/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 November 2008, MEPs approved a plan for an EU “blue card” allowing qualified foreign workers to enter the EU. The blue card would entitle its holder to travel to any EU member state after living in the first member state country for three years. The card would last for three years, renewable for a further two years. The blue card would also allow the holder to bring the rest of his or her family to the EU and be entitled to welfare in the mss of residence. Adopting a report by German EPP-ED MEP Ewa Klamt by 388 to 56 with 124 abstentions thanks to mass support from Socialists and Conservatives, the EPP wants the minimum pay threshold for applicants for the blue card to be 1.7 times gross average pay of the country where the application is lodged. The Council suggested 1.5 times with the option of this being reduced on an exceptional basis to 1.2 times. The MEPs say that the card must not be seen as a right for immigrants and it should be possible to refuse to issue it if the criteria are not met. National authorities must have the option of refusing to accept holders of blue cards issued by a different member state in order to recruit a worker instead from the country in question or another member state. MEPs say that member states should not actively seek to encourage a brain drain from non-EU countries particularly for healthcare workers and teachers. The EU27 interior ministers may decide to adopt the directive at the Transport Council on 8 December 2008. A second consultation report, submitted by Patrick Gaubert (EPP-ED, France) on the directive on a single procedure and common rights for people from outside the EU who are legally resident in the EU, was adopted on the same day by 442 to 77 with 42 abstentions. EUROPE will be returning to this. (B.C./transl.fl)