Third-country nationals: migration for the purpose of studies, vocational training or voluntary service

The committee adopted the report by Martine ROURE (PES, F) amending the proposal under the consultation procedure, as follows: - the scope of the directive should be extended to cover researchers and not just students and trainees; - educational establishments attended by students should be legally recognised to ensure that students do not apply to "phantom' establishments which may serve as a gateway for illegal entry; - to ensure that enterprises are not able to act as "front organisations" allowing unpaid trainees to enter legally and then be used or exploited in irregular economic activities, host enterprises or establishments should be required to provide proof that they have the means to guarantee the training and that it corresponds to the basic training of the trainee. Moreover, trade union representatives should be informed by the employer of the presence of unremunerated trainees; - "pupil exchange" residence permits should be issued for a renewable period, just like "student" residence permits, provided the pupils continue to meet the requirements of the directive; - the provision allowing Member States to set a maximum age limit should be deleted on the grounds that this would run counter to the principles championed by the EU as regards lifelong learning and vocational training; - Member States should ensure that their national legislation enables third country nationals to be admitted under the same conditions as European students; - when assessing the application of the directive, the Commission should look at its effect on controlling the skills drain from less developed third countries; - Member States should send the Commission an annual statistical breakdown by sex and country of origin of the students, trainees and researchers concerned.�