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BackThis week, the EU Parliament voted on a Report, which shall make it easier for researchers, students or interns, who do not originate from the EU, to come to Europe. The new regulations shall clearly set out the conditions of entry and residence for participants in a pupil exchange, internship, voluntary service or au-pair programme. The EU Parliament adopted the Report in the plenum by a broad majority and hopes that it will strengthen general competitiveness and growth in the Union as well as create new jobs.
Students shall be granted unrestricted access to the labour market
If the EU Parliament had its way, students, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Directive, would be granted unrestricted access to the labour market. The EU Parliament argues that this would enable them to cover part of the cost of their studies. The original Commission proposal provided that in exceptional circumstances Member States should be able to take into account the situation of their national labour markets and to decide whether students are permitted to work or not. However, this was not meant to result in a complete ban on work. The EU Parliament did not think much of this idea and quashed it. MEPs also request that once research has been completed or students have graduated in a Member State, third-country nationals shall be entitled to remain 18 months in the respective EU country to look for work or to set up a company. The EU Commission had demanded to limit this period to 12 months. In accordance with the revised rules, family members of the students or researchers affected shall also be granted the right to work and residence for the same period.
Mobility also for volunteers
According to the Commission proposal, researchers, students or interns may for up to six months spend part of their studies and internships respectively in another Member State. MEPs suggest extending this right to volunteers, who, according to the EU Parliament should also be covered by the new rules.
The next steps
If the EU Parliament had its way, students, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Directive, would be granted unrestricted access to the labour market. The EU Parliament argues that this would enable them to cover part of the cost of their studies. The original Commission proposal provided that in exceptional circumstances Member States should be able to take into account the situation of their national labour markets and to decide whether students are permitted to work or not. However, this was not meant to result in a complete ban on work. The EU Parliament did not think much of this idea and quashed it. MEPs also request that once research has been completed or students have graduated in a Member State, third-country nationals shall be entitled to remain 18 months in the respective EU country to look for work or to set up a company. The EU Commission had demanded to limit this period to 12 months. In accordance with the revised rules, family members of the students or researchers affected shall also be granted the right to work and residence for the same period.
Mobility also for volunteers
According to the Commission proposal, researchers, students or interns may for up to six months spend part of their studies and internships respectively in another Member State. MEPs suggest extending this right to volunteers, who, according to the EU Parliament should also be covered by the new rules.
The next steps
The European Parliament has now adopted the bill at first reading in order to retain the so far achieved compromise for the next Parliament. That way, after the European Elections in May, MEPs do not have start at the beginning again, but will be able to continue their work on the basis of the result achieved so far. In spite of this, the new Parliament may decide to start a new procedure if this is initiated by a committee and if the Conference of Presidents approves. It is now up to the Council to take position in order to finally reach agreement and to create new rules. So far, the Council has not shown much enthusiasm for the amendments of the EU Parliament; in particular granting students access to the labour market, the extension to new categories or the mobility within Europe are controversial issues.