'Old' EU eases labor barriers

Workers from eight former communist states which joined the European Union in 2004 still face restricted access to labor markets in older EU states.

But the barriers are being slowly lifted. As of 1 May 2006 seven countries have lifted all restrictions, and some others say they will make their systems more flexible.

Austria
Workers from the eight former Communist states have to apply for work permits, at least until 2009. Like Germany, Austria justifies the restrictions by pointing to its poor employment situation and the fact that it is geographically close to the new members.

Belgium
Belgium will not be lifting restrictions for the moment, but will improve access to some areas of the labour market. For example, the Brussels region has asked for privileged treatment for nurses, plumbers, electricians, car mechanics, builders, architects, accountants, engineers and IT workers.

Denmark
Since 2004, Denmark has allowed workers from the eight states concerned to look for a job for six months. If they find one, they can have residence and work permits. It will maintain this system between 2006 and 2009, however the parliament has taken a decision to make the labour market increasingly flexible.

Finland
Finland lifted all restrictions from 1 May 2006. Previously, citizens of the new member states could get a job without a work permit only if the employment office decided there was no-one else available on the Finnish labour market.

France
France intends to partially lift restrictions, providing fast-track work permits in certain priority areas where recruitment is a problem. These will include restaurant services, industrial maintenance, construction, public works and health.

Germany
Like Austria, Germany has insisted on continuing restrictions on workers from the former Communist states, beyond its eastern borders. Workers from these countries will have to apply for work permits until at least 2009. However, the country issued 500,000 of these permits. "In practice Germany has given as many people work as other big countries," EU Employment Commissioner Vladimir Spidla said on 2 May 2006.

Greece
Greece dropped all restrictions, as of 1 May 2006.

Ireland
Ireland was one of three countries which opened up its labour markets to all new member states immediately. It did, however, introduce new rules whereby immigrants from all EU countries - not just the new members - would be ineligible for benefits for two years. Immigrants from the UK are the only exception.

Italy
Italy will maintain previous restrictions, but is increasing its quota for workers from the affected countries to 170,000.

Luxembourg
Luxembourg is maintaining restrictions, but will fast-track work permits for workers in certain sectors.

The Netherlands
The Dutch government had said it would lift all restrictions on 1 January 2007 but was forced to backtrack by parliament. The question will now be reviewed at the end of 2006. The Netherlands already allows fast-track work permits for certain sectors.

Portugal
Portugal dropped all restrictions from 1 May 2006. Between 2004 and 2006 it had a 6,500 annual limit on immigrant workers of all nationalities.

Spain
Spain dropped all restrictions from 1 May 2006. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero made the announcement at a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz on 9 March 2006.

Sweden
Sweden was one of the three countries, along with the UK and Ireland, which chose to apply no restrictions to workers from the new EU member states.

UK
The UK was one of the three countries, along with Ireland and Sweden, to place no restrictions on workers from the new member states. However, workers have to register and only become eligible for benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance and income support after working continuously in the UK for at least a year.