Rediff news is reporting that the Indian IT industry is "lukewarm" towards the European Commission's prosed blue card immigration scheme. While stating that they needed more time to evaluate the proposal, they feel that doing business in the European Union is expensive and therefore that scheme will not have a significant impact.

The blue card would allow qualified individuals and their families to live and work in the EU. The 27-member bloc says that they need 20 million migrants over the next two decades to fill shortages in such industries as engineering and computer technology.

However, Nasscom, and IT industry body, is optimistic about the blue card scheme.

"We have been lobbying with the EU for some time now and this move will not only be good for the Indian IT industry but also for Europe given the shortage of skilled workforce that they are facing," said Vice President of Nasscom, Ameet Nivsarkar. "It is still at a high level and it will take some time to evaluate the finer print of the proposal."

He said the EU blue card was still in the early stages of proposal and that they will continue to study the program as it evolves.

Tata Consultancy Services was also optimistic. "From our preliminary understanding, we believe this will positively impact the Indian IT industry as it will reduce procedural and administrative issues involved in the mobility of professionals within the European Union," said a spokesperson for the company.

Rediff reported that other large companies such as Infosys and HCL were still evaluating the proposal as well, and how it would affect them.

V Krishnan, Global Head of HR, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, said, "The concept of the Blue Card has not really taken off yet, and is not so easy to qualify for at this point," said V. Krishnan of Satyam Computer Services Ltd.

For a person to qualify for the blue card, they would need at least a one-year contract as well as the right qualifications and experience for the job.

"Living in Europe is not a very glamorous proposition for Indians compared with being in India," Krishnan added. "Typically, it would be senior professionals who would qualify and they would be in a position to get similar positions in India too, with the added advantage of a good quality of life."

He also said that Europe is no longer attractive from a savings standpoint and that language barriers remain.