Action plan based on Stockholm Programme

The five-year action plan reinforces the Stockholm Programme, which was adopted by the European heads of state and government in December 2009. The Programme included 170 initiatives to create a single European area of freedom, security and justice by 2014. The intention of the Commission is to grant Europe's citizens rights outside their own Member State and to protect them at the same time, declared the Commissioner in charge Viviane Reding. Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who shares in the responsibility for the action plan emphasised that creating a common asylum and migration system based on solidarity, was particularly close to her heart.

The Seasonal Workers Directive will come in 2010

One element of the action plan is the Seasonal Workers Directive, which has long been planned by the Commission. The Commission explains the necessity of seasonal workers with the argument that Europe would be faced with a major demographic challenge. In order to meet this challenge and to be able to maintain Europe's welfare system, one had to find ways to enable the legal migration of third party nationals, declares the Commission. One also wants to stop competition between the Member States, as to date all European countries apply different regulations for the admission of seasonal workers. The planned proposal also might improve the cooperation with third countries. In reality, the issue of seasonal workers is not as positive as the Commission presents it. The European Trade Union Confederation - in particular, during times of an employment crisis - has come out against introducing a Seasonal Workers Directive. The Commission plans to present the proposal in 2010.

Europeans Parliament and Council deliberate on the action plan

Now that action plan and proposals are on the table, both the European Parliament and the Council will be discussing it. The Commission hopes for a sympathetic response. The Treaty of Lisbon has given the European Parliament a greater say in justice and home affairs issues. Votes in the Council do no longer require unanimity. New regulations, which need to be experienced first, but which will surely be a step forward rather than a retrograde step. 

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