Brussels, 28/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - There are now no longer any restrictions to the free movement of workers within the EU for citizens of countries that joined the EU in 2004 (“EU-8” countries - Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), or for nationals of the two countries that joined the EU in 2007 (Bulgaria, Romania). Some countries - Ireland, United Kingdom, Sweden - opened their doors to these workers on 1 May 2004. Other countries have only done so gradually over a seven-year period. Only Austria and Germany had maintained specific restrictions for access to their job market during this transitional seven-year period, the maximum period authorised by the accession treaties. This transition period comes to an end on 30 April 2011.
The Commission's conclusions are that: - the labour markets that were open to workers of the eight countries that joined the EU in 2004 have enjoyed a positive impact on their economy. Germany and Austria will now be able to face up to the difficulties encountered in filling a number of jobs thanks to the new workers. The free movement of workers is a fundamental right throughout the EU. It was in these terms that Cristina Arigho, who is spokesperson for Commissioner Lazslo Andor (employment, social affairs, inclusion), addressed the press on Thursday 28 April to explain that, on 1 May 2011, measures restricting the right of EU-8 nationals to work in any EU member state will come to an end.
Transitional arrangements have applied in most of the EU's enlargements. There were three phases (2+3+2 years) during which different, increasingly stricter conditions applied as to the conditions under which member states could restrict labour market access. The Commission points out, however, that they could at any moment open access to their labour markets. Member states that restricted access to their labour markets applied work permit schemes. At the very latest, member states must totally open their labour markets by the end of the 7 year period (i.e. 30 April 2011) for the EU-8 and on 31 December 2013 for Bulgaria and Romania.
Following a comment made by a Dutch minister who wished to extend this period from end 2013 by at least two years, Cristina Arigho said the Commission had not yet received any official details of what the Netherlands wishes to see included or amended over this restriction period. The Commission, she added, is ready to collaborate with the Netherlands that has until end December 2011 to keep the Commission informed, after which it will have two years for completing the process.
The Commission specifies that, as things stand, Romanian and Bulgarian workers may fully enjoy their right to free movement in 15 EU member states (Denmark, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic). Restrictions persisting in ten member states (Belgium, Germany, Ireland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom and Malta) consist simply of the requirement for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals to have a work permit. It is worth noting that restrictions only apply to employees, not to self-employed workers, and in no way concerns their rights to travel or live in another member state.
Initial fears that workers from the new EU member states would invade the older EU member states were exaggerated, the spokesperson commented. The two Commission reports (2008 report on the impact of the free movement of workers in the context of EU enlargement, and the 2006 report on the first phase of application of transitional provisions concerning the EU-8), which examine the impact of free movement of workers in the context of enlargement, show that this has not given rise to serious upheavals on the job market. On the contrary, the free movement of workers has made it possible to contribute to sustained economic growth, has not worsened the unemployment situation, has not reduced local salaries and has also helped efforts to stamp out undeclared work. Cristina Arigho has said that migrant workers have received the same working conditions, including salary, as the other workers, which therefore excludes social dumping.
The 2003 accession treaty authorised member states to restrict the right of workers from eight of the ten countries that entered the EU in 2004 to move freely to another member state for work during a seven-year transitional period. The aim of these transitional arrangements was to allow member states to gradually introduce free movement step by step during this period, to avoid labour market disturbances by a sudden inflow of workers following accession to the EU. (See also EUROPE 10365). (G.B./transl.jl)