In an astonishingly low-key news story from South Africa of all places, it was stated that the EU Blue Card could be implemented as early as December 8th 2008. This should of course be taken with a grain of salt.

The Independent Online news story said the news came from the "French presidency", but little other details were mentioned about the source.

According to the article, the "EU's new 'Blue Card' scheme to attract skilled migrant workers will be adopted on December 8 once European Parliament recommendations are considered, the bloc's French presidency said on Tuesday."

With the current economic situation deteriorating in the European Union, adopting the Blue Card immigration scheme could be vital in shoring up the economy.

Hopefully, EU authorities will not hamstring the scheme with onerous requirements.