This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/world/europe/european-labor-market-opens-for-romanians-and-bulgarians.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
European Labor Market Opens for Romanians and Bulgarians E.U. Labor Market Opens for Romanians and Bulgarians
(about 7 hours later)
PARIS — The lifting of labor restrictions on New Year’s Day for Bulgarians and Romanians in nine European Union countries, including Germany, France and Britain, was greeted as both an opportunity and a threat, touching off fear among some about unchecked immigration from Bulgaria and Romania, two of the poorest states in Europe. PARIS — The lifting of labor restrictions on Wednesday for Bulgarians and Romanians in nine European Union countries, including Germany, France and Britain, was greeted as both an opportunity and a threat, touching off fear among some about unchecked immigration from Bulgaria and Romania, two of the poorest states in Europe.
Even before restrictions were relaxed on Wednesday, some British newspapers were predicting an invasion of poor migrants who would claim benefits, take scarce jobs and even steal scrap metal. Even before restrictions were relaxed, some British newspapers were predicting an invasion of poor migrants who would claim benefits, take scarce jobs and even steal scrap metal.
In France, unease over the loosening of restrictions is linked to the presence of roughly 20,000 noncitizen Roma from Romania and Bulgaria, some of whom live in squalid encampments on the outskirts of French cities. The far-right National Front has warned that Roma could flood the country and has made them a key issue before municipal elections in March. In France, unease over the loosening of restrictions is linked to the presence of roughly 20,000 noncitizen Roma, or Gypsies, from Romania and Bulgaria, some of whom live in squalid encampments on the outskirts of French cities. The far-right National Front has warned that Roma could flood the country and has made them an issue before municipal elections in March.
When Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, some temporary obstacles were imposed on their citizens by nine member states for their first seven years of membership, including their right to work and to benefit from social and medical programs.When Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, some temporary obstacles were imposed on their citizens by nine member states for their first seven years of membership, including their right to work and to benefit from social and medical programs.
While analysts say it is too early to predict the outcome of the change of policy, the issue is particularly sensitive in Britain, where a previous Labour government vastly underestimated the number of migrants who would come from Eastern and Central Europe when Britain threw open its doors to the new European Union members from the east in 2004.While analysts say it is too early to predict the outcome of the change of policy, the issue is particularly sensitive in Britain, where a previous Labour government vastly underestimated the number of migrants who would come from Eastern and Central Europe when Britain threw open its doors to the new European Union members from the east in 2004.
Before 2004, a study commissioned by the government suggested 5,000 to 13,000 arrivals a year up to 2010. The 2011 census showed 521,000 Polish-born people listed as residents in Britain, the majority having arrived after 2004.Before 2004, a study commissioned by the government suggested 5,000 to 13,000 arrivals a year up to 2010. The 2011 census showed 521,000 Polish-born people listed as residents in Britain, the majority having arrived after 2004.
In prerecession Britain, politicians saw immigration as a catalyst for growth. But now a struggling economy is helping to fan anxiety. In prerecession Britain, politicians saw immigration as a catalyst for growth. But now a struggling economy is helping fan anxiety.
The Daily Telegraph warned this week that Romania and Bulgaria had a liberal attitude toward issuing passports to people in impoverished neighboring states, presaging an influx of poor people from southeast Europe to Britain, with full employment rights. The London newspaper The Daily Telegraph warned this week that Romania and Bulgaria had a liberal attitude toward issuing passports to people in impoverished neighboring states, presaging an influx of poor people from southeast Europe into Britain, with full employment rights.
The Romanian government, for its part, has sought to allay concerns, lamenting what it has characterized as a xenophobic campaign against the country. Britain, it has stressed, is not even the preferred destination for Romanians. The Romanian government, for its part, has sought to allay concerns, lamenting what it has characterized as a xenophobic campaign against the country. Britain, it has emphasized, is not even the preferred destination for Romanians.
Professor John Salt of the University College London migration research unit said Wednesday that data from Bulgaria showed that advance air bookings for Bulgaria Air, the main carrier from Bulgaria to Britain, had decreased by more than 3 percent for travel in the first three months of 2014 compared with the previous year. He said that all indications were that airlines were not introducing extra flights. Professor John Salt of the University College London migration research unit said Wednesday that data from Bulgaria showed that advance bookings for Bulgaria Air, the main air carrier from Bulgaria to Britain, decreased by more than 3 percent for travel in the first three months of 2014, compared with the previous year. He said that all indications were that airlines were not introducing extra flights.
Some economists have said fears of a sudden influx from Romania are exaggerated because Britain has historically absorbed migrants from around the world. Romania’s unemployment rate of about 7 percent is roughly the same as Britain’s and less than a third of Spain’s. Economic growth is at 4.1 percent. The Economist said in a commentary article, “The average Bucharest resident is comfortably better off than the average resident of Manchester.” Some economists have said fears of a sudden influx from Romania are exaggerated because Britain has historically absorbed migrants from around the world. Romania’s unemployment rate of about 7 percent is roughly the same as Britain’s and less than one-third of Spain’s. Economic growth is at 4.1 percent. The Economist said in a commentary article, “The average Bucharest resident is comfortably better off than the average resident of Manchester.”
Laszlo Andor,the European commissioner for employment, said Wednesday that Britain was unlikely to experience a sudden and large influx of immigrants from the two countries, in part because three million Bulgarians and Romanians had already been able to settle in other European Union countries. Laszlo Andor, the European Union’s commissioner for employment, said Wednesday that Britain was unlikely to experience a sudden and large influx of immigrants from the two countries, in part because three million Bulgarians and Romanians had already been able to settle in other European Union countries.
While acknowledging that the newcomers could put a strain on education, housing and social services, he said they would also fill labor market gaps and help offset aging populations.While acknowledging that the newcomers could put a strain on education, housing and social services, he said they would also fill labor market gaps and help offset aging populations.
“The free movement of people has been one of the cornerstones of E.U. integration,” he said in a statement. “This right is one of the most cherished by Europeans, with over 14 million of them studying, working or retiring in another E.U. state.”“The free movement of people has been one of the cornerstones of E.U. integration,” he said in a statement. “This right is one of the most cherished by Europeans, with over 14 million of them studying, working or retiring in another E.U. state.”