The EU's plan for a "blue card" for immigrants faced vehement opposition in Austria, whose chancellor said it would undermine the country's labour market.

The "Blue EU Labour Card", inspired by the US "green card" and taking its name from the EU flag, envisages to entitle highly qualified third country nationals to various rights in any of the EU nations, and later permit them to work in a second member state under certain conditions.

"We don't need "blue card" immigrants. I don't want Austria's labour market policy to be undermined by European regulations," Chancellor Alfred Gusenbau said in an interview for Der Standard newspaper.

According to him "too much centralization is not a good thing in this case".

EU's plan for a "blue card", to be unveiled on October 23, aims to attract the workers needed to fill specific gaps. Data shows that only 5 % of immigrants coming to the EU are skilled workers, compared to 55% arriving in the USA.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!