Members of the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee have shown support for legislation aimed at establishing an EU Talent Pool.

This initiative is designed to facilitate the recruitment of non-EU nationals for jobs in sectors where labor shortages are prevalent, utilizing a dedicated digital platform that connects EU job vacancies with potential job seekers from abroad.

The proposed legislation will be optional for EU member states, preserving their sovereignty in determining the influx of third-country workers.

To uphold fair recruitment practices, the Members of Parliament have proposed amendments that align with the International Labour Organization’s general principles.

The platform is intended to be accessible to job seekers across all skill and qualification levels, ensuring it remains free of discriminatory practices and does not impose charges on registered users.

The proposed framework requires that participating employers provide comprehensive details about recruitment, including the recruiter’s name, company registration number, and a descriptive overview of their operations.

Employers must also detail job descriptions, workplace locations, working hours, remuneration, and paid leave for positions available.

The platform is expected to enhance the transparency of job seeker profiles, highlighting their preferred EU location and availability, as well as enabling the certification of skills through EU Talent Partnerships or national agreements.

Additionally, the European Commission is tasked with promoting the EU Talent Pool through targeted awareness campaigns aimed particularly at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Recommendations include leveraging EU delegations located in third countries to attract potential job seekers.

Rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani, representing Sweden’s Renew party, emphasized the importance of addressing labor shortages in the EU to bolster competitiveness.

The approval of this legislative proposal came with 46 votes in favor, 25 against, and two abstentions, with the next steps including formal discussions with member states following a full parliamentary endorsement during an upcoming plenary session.

In related developments, the European Commission introduced a Steel and Metals Action Plan aimed at addressing challenges within the European steel industry.

This plan includes regulatory adjustments, enhanced trade protections against global overcapacity, and considerations for developing lead markets to secure sales for European steel products.

Key details on implementation strategies and energy cost reductions remain under evaluation, amidst ongoing international competition and pressures from existing tariffs imposed by other countries.

Further trade discussions between the EU and India appear to face significant hurdles, particularly in sectors such as spirits and automobiles.

The chief negotiator for the EU has indicated that agreeing on a comprehensive free trade deal by the end of the year seems increasingly unlikely due to fundamental differences in trade approaches and ongoing tariff challenges.

Negotiations will continue, with further discussions scheduled in May and June, in anticipation of a crucial summit later in the year.

Meanwhile, the EU Commission is poised to present new support measures for exporters affected by its carbon border adjustment mechanism, responding to calls for a backup system as existing protective schemes evolve.