Brussels, 08/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 2 December, French Minister for Immigration Brice Hortefeux, told the MEPs from the committee on civil liberties at the European Parliament that the definitive adoption of the European "Blue Card" directive, a work permit for highly-qualified immigrants, would happen under the Czech Presidency (EUROPE 9667). A meeting of experts of the Council will take place on 10 December to see to what extent the member states can incorporate certain recommendations of the European Parliament. This institution, which was only consulted on the proposal, is unlikely to see its demands taken on board (EUROPE 9787). In order to be adopted, the document must be assessed by the lawyer-linguists. "In reality, the text has been decided upon. It is now a question of giving it to the Czech Presidency", a diplomat told EUROPE. Mr Hortefeux also confirmed that a proposal to fight illegal employment, entitled the "sanctions" directive, was encountering "a few difficulties" at the Council, which include details on the salary back-payments to be paid by employers at fault. The European Parliament, which has the power of co-decision on this proposal, would also like to link this notion to suspending the expulsion of the illegal worker. (B.C./transl.fl)