Restrictions on workers from the new member states

In May 2004, all EU-15 states - with the exception of Britain, Ireland and Sweden - decided to keep their doors closed to workers from eight of the ten new member states (all except for Cyprus and Malta). Then, when at the end of April 2006, they were again asked whether they would keep, abolish or change their approach to the issue, only Finland, Greece, Portugal and Spain indicated their intention to remove the restrictions.

“In your opinion, are there legitimate social and economic reasons for keeping the restrictions in place, or is this principally a political problem? Does your answer depend on the country in question?”

'Restrictions are against the spirit of the E.U., but...'

I believe that the main reason is economic. The unemployment in 'old' member states has become an important problem and also the economical situation is not as good as before. This means that the inhabitant of 'old' member states will require and need to compete much more if workers from 'new' member states have the right to work. Honestly speaking, this will not be a very justified competition because people of 'old' member states are used to working in better conditions and with better salary, however workers from 'new'member states are ready to work in worse conditions and for a lower salary. The job that will be done by both will be the same.

Britain, Ireland and Sweden were exceptions because Ireland has a high growth rate, and Britain & Sweden need labour especially in the service sector. On the other hand, countries of the old continent (Germany, France, Italy etc.) have problems and that is why they refuse. We see that Finland, Greece, Portugal and Spain have indicated their intention to remove the restrictions, but they have never been top destinations for labour. I think that they do not have much to be afraid of.

Although according to me those restrictions are against the spirit of the E.U., I understand that it is necessary for some countries in order to keep the work and life quality of their own citizens. Selen, Turkey

'There should be no ‘left outs’ in the European Union...'

 I believe that the decision to keep the doors closed to Eastern European workers was political from the start. At a time when we are discussing immigration and the possibilities of choosing immigrants in countries like France, whereas some others already do this, it did seem a little odd: if the problem is cultural integration, then which one would be easier than that of European workers? If the problem is qualification, these countries have very good workers in all sectors. But the current crisis means that people were even more afraid of a mass immigration than they were for Spain and Portugal (probably without good reasons). Politicians decided it best, in countries where people feel the most insecure about their jobs and quality of life, to keep these workers out. I believe that it would be a good thing to have a free circulation of all EU citizens inside the EU, as this kind of choice is totally against the idea of equality among EU countries. Perhaps now that the fears have passed, it would be preferable to end this system as it does nothing for the inclusion of Eastern European countries in the European construction. There should be no 'left outs' in the European Union if we want it to go on moving towards more integration. Araceli, France

'Closing borders is only a populist idea, which can be very catchy for right-orientated voters.'

I come from Poland and of course do not support keeping the restrictions in place. The old-EU countries are struggling with enormous economic problems. The unemployment rate among young people is reaching its highest peaks; the costs of work are rising at an unrestrained tempo.  From my viewpoint keeping restrictions is the wrong way of dealing with the problems mentioned above. The healing of domestic economy should be done step by step, over many years  Closing borders is only a populist  idea, which can be very catchy for right-orientated voters.  For decision makers it is easier to communicate “We are defending our markets from foreign and cheap workers“ than to gradually implement laws which encourage people to create enterprises and to employ a new staff. The real need is to make labor markets more flexible and employer-friendly and to restrict the influence of trade unions. The workers from new EU countries are doing jobs which are rejected by citizens of countries they are working in.  The prolongation of restrictions on foreign workers is leading to a dead end.  Anna, Poland

'Once the countries have signed the treaty for entry into the EU, then they should be treated as equals amongst equals.'

In a Europe that wants a united future and is looking towards a common constitution, in a Europe where 25 member states share laws and obligations and, above all, the principal of being a Member State and Citizens of the European Union, restrictions should not have place in the debates about the future. Once the countries have signed the treaty for entry into the EU, then they should be treated as equals amongst equals. To me it's not a question of the country of origin, but a question of democracy. Should there be restrictions like those, then why are we wondering why the public is in decline?? Or should we just accept that we are all equal, but some are more equal than others?
Dimitra (Dimi) Greece

'Because of high unemployment and low wages, a lot of young, well educated people already have left Poland.  In some areas there are already shortages of labour.'

Of course it is a political problem, and of course my answer is biased by my nationality.  It  is  obvious  that  in  countries  with  high unemployment  and  problems  with  immigrants there is a fear that cheap, unqualified  workers will flood the market. Nevertheless it seems that this fear is exaggerated. Take the example of old member states that have enabled the free movement of labour to their markets and suffer of no dramatic problems. The newcomers took either unwanted low paid jobs or are required  specialists  e.g. doctors.  It seems that problems may occur on a local scale, if immigrants dominate one sector of the labour market .  They may want to go back sometime. To us, more obvious are problems  created  by emigration. Because of high unemployment and low  wages a lot of young, well educated people already have left Poland.  In some areas there are already shortages of labour. It may have an effect on countries’ economies in the longer run. Still, most  young  emigrants  are  flexible  and  could  return,  if the situation  in  Poland were to improve. So we can surely expect various troubles for the  labour market in Europe, but the free market is a good solution for its long-lasting economic growth. Maciek (Maciej) Poland