EU should demand a quota of at least 100.000 EU-professionals to the USA

In its recent trade strategy, Trade for all, the Commission underlines that [t]he temporary movement of professionals has become essential for all sectors to conduct business internationally.

This is very much true. Mobility of professionals are a necessity in many trade and business situations and the mobility aspect in free trade agreements is essential for professionals and managers. On the one hand, professionals and managers need to have the opportunity to be mobile and would benefit of less obstacles between the EU and other countries. On the other hand, trade and interaction between third countries and the EU is not possible without mobility of professionals and highly qualified work force.

Skills gaps are a big hinder for economic growth. In the EU there are several sectors where skills shortages hamper development. As one concrete and example the Commission itself points to a future EU-wide shortage of 825.000 ICT professionals by 2020. Short term mobility can help bridging skills gaps and is therefore one of the components the of necessary solutions.

The EU should therefore act and bring forward proposals that can promote increased mobility of professionals both from and to the EU.

The European Union is currently negotiating TTIP, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. In the free trade agreement between USA and Australia of 2005, the E-3 visa was established. This visa regime contains a quota system which applies to Australian nationals going to the United States to work in a specialty occupation. One of the benefits of the system is that it also applies to spouses and children of the applicant granting the right to the spouse also to work in the US.

As a part of TTIP the EU should demand a mobility agreement with the USA, using the Australia-USA free trade agreement as model. An annual quota of 100.000 professionals from the EU to the USA should be established. USA professionals should likewise be welcomed to the EU.

As a part of TTIP the EU should demand a mobility agreement with the USA, using the Australia-USA free trade agreement as model. An annual quota of 100.000 professionals from the EU to the USA should be established. USA professionals should likewise be welcomed to the EU.

In setting up such a regime it is important that that mobility is facilitated for all highly skilled groups of the workforce. Narrowing the scope could lead to risking leaving out certain groups, for instance, in the field of research, science and education.

The report adopted by the European Parliament of 3 February 2016 containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the Commission on the negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) is a concrete example of a text which could lead to such a limitation. When the commitments of free movement must only apply to highly skilled professionals, such as persons holding a university or equivalent master's degree, it can risk leaving out graduates from universities of applied science (polytechnics).

Mobility arrangements should not lead to developments which will create more complicated structures and rules. Making use of one’s right to mobility is complicated enough as it is. References to several EU Directives, such as, on intra-corporate transfers of third country nationals, on posting of workers, on the Blue Card, on recognition of qualifications, on visa admission and rules etc. make the whole area so complex that "ordinary" employers and professionals have difficulties to understand criteria and procedures. In the light of the EU goal of "Better Regulation" this is anything but ideal. One important improvement would be to increase the transparency of mobility rules by providing easy accessible and clear information on the internet.

To help identifying the important areas of improvement it is necessary to establish a permanent dialogue between the European bodies of professionals and the EU institutions as regards the topic of free trade agreements and mobility of professionals. This would also increase transparency.

Trade Unions across Europe have called for transparent and democratic negotiations of trade related agreements. Trade agreements should not weaken working conditions, quality of education or consumer and environmental protection. In addition to these important issues Eurocadres would like to add our own message, being the trade union voice of six million professionals and managers: We call for a strong commitment of the Commission to enhance professional mobility, through a mobility agreement with USA establishing quotas for EU professionals to the US.

Being the trade union voice of six million professionals and managers: We call for a strong commitment of the Commission to enhance professional mobility, through a mobility agreement with USA establishing quotas for EU professionals to the US.

The text has been published as an opinion in EurActiv. Read also our full position on the topic.