Brussels, 24/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission gave Spain permission on 11 August to re-impose restrictive labour market measures until the end of 2012, requiring Romanian workers to apply for a work permit before they can seek work in Spain.
This decision was taken because of the very poor employment situation in Spain, with its EU record 21% unemployment rate, and because Spain was able to demonstrate that its labour market has been severely disrupted because of the influx of workers from Romania, the largest group of foreign workers in the country at the moment, said Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Commissioner László Andor. Of Romanian nationals living in Spain 30% are unemployed.
The decision, which will not affect Romanian workers already in the Spanish labour market, follows a request from the Spanish authorities on 28 July. Two years ago, Spain lifted all restrictions on workers from the newer member states coming to join its labour market, but at the end of July admitted that it was unable to absorb further inflows of workers. A safeguard clause contained in the accession treaties of Romania and Bulgaria allows member states to re-impose restrictions on free labour market access in the event of serious labour market disruption.
In authorising this move by Spain, the Commission said that it would regularly monitor the measures and the situation on the Spanish labour market, retaining the right to reverse its decision should the situation change. The Commission also noted that its basic position was for open labour markets for all EU nationals and that the Spanish situation was exceptional. This is the first time that a member state has sought to reverse measures opening up its labour market. (S.P./transl.rt)