Last September I argued that it was time for EU countries to welcome the 'Polish plumber'. At the time of EU enlargement in May 2004, only Britain, Ireland and Sweden allowed workers from Eastern and Central Europe free access to their labour markets. The other 12 of the 'old' EU-15 member states imposed 'transitional restrictions' on labour movement.
But by 30 April 2006, member states have to declare whether they aim to ease, lift or keep the restrictions in place for another 3+ years. A EurActiv report, Member states ponder lifting labour market restrictions, expects most of the remaining twelve to lifyt or ease their restrictions on the 'Polish plumber' and other migrant workers:
Spain, Finland, Portugal and Greece now appear inclined to ease or even remove restrictions on labour movement from the EU-8 states in May 2006. France and Belgium are reportedly considering easing the restrictions only gradually, leading up to their full removal by the end of the decade. Denmark said that it will give its policy a careful review. Austria and Germany, both saddled with high unemployment, have indicated that they will keep the restrictions in place.
Non-EU member Norway is also considering opening its doors to the new EU member states. In a referendum in September 2005, Switzerland decided to open up its labour market to workers from the EU-10 countries.
Britain has easily absorbed the quarter of a million foreign workers it has received over the past 18 months. Many British employers say they could not do without them. In London the Eastern European shop asistant is now so ubiquitous, and so accepted, that it's hard to remember what the fuss was all about. Let's hope other member states can emulate the UK's positive experience.
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