[NYTr] EU Promotes Brain Drain from Third World

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

EU Promotes Brain Drain

by Marlen Borges

Paris, Nov 13 (Prensa Latina) Brain drain from third world countries, a
phenomenon historically promoted by the United States, has gained
strength in Europe, after recent agreements within the European Union.

Under the pretext of "regulating immigration" and facing the "deficit
of skilled people due to demographic aging," the EU advocates the
introduction of a blue card with seductive incentives to attract
foreign professionals.

The European bloc is taking advantage of the crises affecting the
developing countries to boost a phenomenon of which Europe was also a
victim after World War II.

That phenomenon is still visible because, although the number of
European professionals who migrate to North America has decreased,
competition between the two sides of the ocean is still very strong.

The ministers of Justice and Interior of the European Union approved a
new mechanism to lure professionals from outside the bloc.

The project will allow those interested in working in Europe to carry
out immigration procedures in 30 days and up to 60 days in exceptional
cases, and their spouses will have a work permit.

In order to tone down criticisms, the EU has explained that blue card
beneficiaries can return home, as the document is not a guarantee to
stay in the region permanently.

However, it is clear that granting a work permit in any European
country after a two-year contract will allow foreign professionals to
stay for good.

As Cuban President Fidel Castro said in his reflections, "This
relentless plundering of brains in South countries dismantles and
weakens programs aimed at training human capital, a resource which is
needed to rise from the depths of underdevelopment. It is not limited
to the transfer of capital; it also entails the import of grey matter,
which nips a country's nascent intelligence and future at the bud."

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PL-30