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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2023)0716 – C90413/2023 – 2023/0404(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an EU Talent Pool

DEVE-PA-766857

Committee on Development · Rapporteur: Tomas Tobé

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The draft opinion welcomes the EU Talent Pool proposal, stressing it should complement development cooperation, respect Policy Coherence for Development, and benefit both the EU and third countries. It calls for amendments to ensure the platform is accessible to all skill levels, non-discriminatory, and provides information on skills development, return and reintegration, and complaint mechanisms. It also requires accelerated immigration procedures, no recruitment fees, and monitoring of impacts on developing countries.

Committee position. The Committee on Development proposes amendments to the Commission proposal to align it with development objectives, ensure non-discrimination, protect migrant workers, and enhance monitoring.

Key points

  1. The EU Talent Pool should contribute to Sustainable Development Goals, including eradicating poverty, gender equality, decent work, and reduced inequalities.
  2. Implementation must comply with Policy Coherence for Development, promote equal treatment, prevent exploitation, and consider the WHO code on health personnel recruitment.
  3. The platform should be easy to navigate, with transparent and non-discriminatory criteria, allowing all skill levels and persons with disabilities.
  4. Jobseekers should have access to information on skills development and vocational training from development programmes.
  5. Profiles of jobseekers unused for two years and employers for three years should be removed, with prior notice and limited anonymised data kept for statistics.
  6. Employers must not charge recruitment fees or related costs, and job vacancies should state this clearly.
  7. Participating Member States shall put in place accelerated immigration procedures, preferably issuing permits under the Single Permit Directive.
  8. Information on the platform should be available in official languages of participating Member States and third countries in Talent Partnerships, and top ten nationalities with single permits.
  9. Complaint mechanisms should be accessible, timely, gender-sensitive, and focus on occupations with high exploitation risk like domestic work.
  10. Monitoring should include gender, age, and disability data, and assess impacts on developing countries using SDG indicators.
  11. The Commission's review by 2031 and every five years must consider impacts on EU development cooperation objectives and SDGs.

Who is affected

  • Jobseekers from third countries: benefit from easier access, no fees, and information on rights and return.
  • Employers in participating Member States: must not charge fees, provide clear job descriptions, and face profile removal after three years.
  • Developing countries: the Talent Pool should support skills development and avoid negative effects of emigration.
  • EU Delegations: to disseminate information and feed into monitoring.

Figures and deadlines

  • Profiles of jobseekers unused for two years and employers for three years are removed.
  • Member States must notify participation at least 6 months before joining.
  • Commission reports by 31.12.2031 and every five years thereafter.

Legal basis: Article 208(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union