It's Official: UK, Ireland Keep Doors Closed to Workers from Bulgaria, Romania

"If you don't hold a work permit, you are not allowed to work in the UK," read posters presented as part of an information campaign launched by the British Embassy in Sofia at the end of 2006. The rule will remain in force until 2014. Photo by Sofia Photo

Great Britain and Ireland have become the first European Union member states to officially prolong the temporary ban on Bulgarian and Romanian workers for two more years, until the beginning of 2014.

The two countries officially notified the European Commission about their decision on Friday, the press office of L?szl? Andor, commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, told the state-owned Bulgarian News Agency.

EU countries may prolong a temporary ban on Bulgarian and Romanian workers for two additional years, i.e. until 2014, if they prove that will pose a serious threat to their labor markets.

The news comes just a day after the European Parliament renewed its calls for an open door labor market in the ten older member states that still impose restrictions for job-seekers from Bulgaria and its northern neighbor Romania.

The MEPs said that no negative effects have been reported in those member states that opened their labor markets to workers from the countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007.

On the contrary, a Commission report of 11 November 2011, found that workers from Romania and Bulgaria have had a positive impact on the economies of those Member States that have allowed them in to work.

Nevertheless, a number of Member States have decided to continue applying restrictions to Romanian ad Bulgarian workers, due more to political pressures than to any justified fear of negative effects on their economies or labour markets, says the resolution.

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg Malta, the Netherlands and UK all still restrict the access of Bulgarian and Romanian workers to their labour markets. Spain is also restricting Romanian workers' access, with the Commission's approval, until 31 December 2012, due to serious disturbances on its labour market.

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