Tag: free movement of workers

The extension of the Schengen zone to include the newest EU members from Central and Eastern Europe has not revived fears of a renewed influx of "Polish plumbers" in France, EurActiv France reports.

A recent study by a migration NGO has stirred up the debate on the economic effects of labour migration from eastern Europe suggesting that gains were only marginal. But the UK government and industry federations disagree with the finding.

France and the Czech Republic have decided to open their borders to Romanian and Bulgarian workers, with France restricting job seekers to those sectors that were already opened to workers from the countries that joined the EU in 2004.

A UK parliament report argues that the country's economy has benefited from the UK open-door policy towards EU-10 migrant workers in 2004 and calls on EU politicians to engage the public on benefits of EU expansion.

The governments of Romania and Bulgaria have reacted harshly to the UK's and Ireland's announcement that workers from the Balkan countries will be denied access to British and Irish labour markets which other EU citizens enjoy.

The Bulgarian Economic and Social Council (ESC) suggested that the country's government implement a number of economic measures to encourage Bulgarians living abroad to return home. EurActiv's Bulgarian partner portal Dnevnik.bg talked to ESC Chairman, Professor Lalko Dulevski, about the proposals.

While workers from eastern and central Europe moving to EU-15 countries have little impact on those economies, their countries of origin may have to attract even cheaper labour east of EU borders, according to a World Bank report. 

Member states lock workers from Central and Eastern Europe out of their labour markets, in spite of research which suggests that both sides would benefit from granting them access. In two reports, the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) questioned the rationality of these so-called transitional measures. In an exclusive interview with EurActiv.com, ECAS Director Tony Venables explains the pros and cons of workers' mobility in Europe. 

Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel's proposal to open the Austrian labour market for nurses from the country's eastern neighbouring states has brought him into conflict with the Social Democrats and sections of his own party.

The Posting of Workers Directive, which was adopted in 1996 to ensure a level playing field for workers sent by their companies to a different EU country, does not function properly, say MEPs.

Italy has taken the decision to end the so-called transitory measures, which prevent workers from eight central-eastern European countries from trying to find a job.

The Swiss have voted in favour to extend an agreement on the free movement of workers to include the EU-10 in a referendum on 25 September. Transition measures were decided to quell fears of social dumping.

Poland is expected to ask the EU to reopen negotiations on the free movement of goods in order to secure longer transition periods for Polish pharmaceutical companies for drug registration procedures. Political analysts see the move as a setback, which could delay Poland's progress in the enlargement process.

EU foreign ministers set timetable for four enlargement negotiation meetings under Belgian Presidency

Commission recommends exempting Romanian citizens from EU visa obligation as of January 2002

Last round of enlargement negotiations under Swedish Presidency allows Slovakia and Lithuania to catch up with most advanced candidates

Three EU Member States will not restrict access to their labour markets for Eastern European workers after enlargement

EU and candidates close twelve negotiation chapters after EU has reached compromise on free movement of workers and capital

Only 13 percent of Poles, 4 percent of Czechs and 7 percent of Hungarians will try to find a job in the current EU Member States after enlargement

Swedish Presidency postpones EU enlargement negotiations with Malta, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia due to "technical problems"

EU foreign ministers try to find compromise on transition periods for job seekers from new Member States and allay Spain's concerns over structural funds

EU foreign ministers tackle the controversial issue of free movement of Central and Eastern European workers

EU prepared negotiation positions on agriculture and fee movement of workers, but avoided contentious issues.