Over 33 thousand Tunisian citizens entered Italy illegally in the last two years. Because they come from a country deemed safe, they must be repatriated by law. But things could soon change: The European Union announced in November that it would adopt a “very ambitious” plan to increase legal immigrant inflows and thus fill the growing number of job vacancies at European companies. Speaking in Strasbourg, European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas said: “This measure will definitely allow Tunisians to learn new skills to close the labor shortage that is slowing growth in the labor market.”
Discussions about the memorandum
The remarks emerged at the height of discussions about the memorandum of understanding signed by President Ursula von der Leyen and Tunisian leader Kais Saied. A memorandum strongly supported by Italy and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, while helping Tunisia cope with the serious economic and social crisis it is experiencing. On the other hand, the main reason for Brussels’ intervention is that the Tunisian coast guard strengthens its controls and reduces the flow of migrants towards Europe as much as possible.
The memorandum was objected to by various political parties in the EU Parliament; socialists (von der Leyen’s majority partner) demanded that it be blocked, especially in light of accusations of human rights violations aggravating Saied’s government. EU Council President Charles Michel also criticized the lack of involvement of all member states in the negotiation phase of the talks (Italy and the Netherlands were at the forefront, while France and Germany seemed more distant). However, the Commission president continued to speak and on 22 September announced that the first 127 million euros had been allocated to Tunisia. Is the question closed? Apparently not.
Saied raises the bar
The debate was directly fueled by Saied, who on Monday accused the European Union of failing to honor agreements made, describing the first tranche as a “small sum” and asking for more respect. The feeling is that the Tunisian leader wants to raise the bar even higher, perhaps gaining concessions to facilitate work permits for his citizens in Europe, thus addressing the huge unemployment in the country, especially among young people. Close to 40%.
The opportunity to gain this other privilege could be the framework for legal immigration that the Commission is expected to present in October. Schinas explained that this will be a series of “skills-based” partnerships that will combine vacancies in our labor market with the availability of “workers” from immigrants’ countries of origin.
labor shortage
The EU is mainly short of plumbers, nurses, computer scientists, welders and truck drivers, as well as technicians and civil engineers, according to the latest report by the European Labor Authority. To solve this problem, in April 2022 the Commission presented a plan to promote legal immigration, the main purpose of which is a simplified procedure for obtaining a single permit combining work and residence. Thus, those who come to Europe to work will be given the opportunity to benefit from more social rights and bring their families with them. It also aims to simplify the process for applicants and employers, allowing them to apply for a single permit in both third countries and EU member states. Brussels’ proposal is currently in the final stages of negotiations between Parliament and EU countries.
continue to be today
Source: Today IT

Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.