A call on co-legislators for a swift approval of the file

Joint statement by Ceemet, ECEG, FIEC, HOTREC and World Employment Federation Europe

European sectoral employers strongly support the establishment of an EU Talent Pool, which will automatically match EU employers with third country national jobseekers. We consider that this instrument will support the sector in overcoming skills and labour shortages and coping with the phenomena of an ageing society and a consequent shrinking working-age population. It will also contribute to improving the quality of life for individuals coming from third countries.
European sectoral employers fully welcome both the Council general approach (10602/24) and the European Parliament position (2023/0404(COD)) on the proposal for a Regulation on the EU Talent Pool. We are pleased to see that both co-legislators have recognised and aligned with the priorities of European employers.

• Ahead of the next trilogue meeting, we would like to reiterate our key priorities on this file:
• We recommend all Member States to adopt the EU Talent Pool, which, however, should remain voluntary.
• The EU Talent Pool should apply to low, medium and highly skilled workers.
• The tool should not be restricted to third countries who are part of talent partnerships and should not be limited to shortage occupation lists (if they exist, they should be of indicative nature).
• Bureaucratic procedures to access the tool for both employers and job seekers should be avoided.
• The tool should be user-friendly for both employers and jobseekers.
• Social partners (both cross-sectoral and sectoral) should be able to participate in the steering committee and governance of the tool.
• Sectoral social partners should be able to provide inputs on the shortage occupation list, as they possess the most accurate and up-to-date understanding of the needs, trends, and specificities within their respective sectors.
• Access should be granted to employers, public and private employment agencies, temporary work agencies.
• The EU Talent Pool should be interoperable with existent IT talent pool platforms at national, regional or local level (including the public and private sector).
• Awareness-raising campaigns are needed both within the EU and towards third countries to ensure that the platform is widely known and effectively used.
• Member States may provide standardised information to registered jobseekers from a third country who have been selected for a job vacancy in the EU Talent Pool.
• Member States may decide, in accordance with national laws and practices, to put in place accelerated immigration procedures to allow for faster recruitment of registered jobseekers from third countries.
• European sectoral employers call on the Council and the European Parliament to quickly reach a compromise agreement on the file. Moreover, we support the swift implementation of the tool and are committed to actively contributing to its implementation phase at the EU level.