The ‘Financial Times’ cited UK immigration minister Tony McNulty who said that the new workers were "filling important vacancies, supporting the provision of public services in communities across the UK and making a welcome contribution to our economy and society"

In public sector alone, about 9,300 workers from accession countries registered as care workers, 5,000 as bus or lorry drivers, 1,400 as medical specialists - doctors or nurses - and 1,200 as teachers or other school staff, by the end of 2005.

Perspectives until 2011

Until April this year, EU member states that did not open their labour market yet, have to report to the Commission which steps they will take in this direction. According to EU law, member states may restrict accession to their labour markets until 2011. However, the Commission aims at promoting complete freedom of movement before that date. A European Commission study earlier this month said fears of an influx of cheap labour and welfare tourism had proved groundless and Britain, Ireland and Sweden had enjoyed high economic growth and high employment despite opening their labour markets.

Spain, Portugal and Finland have already announced that they will follow suit the example of Britain, Ireland and Sweden. However, Belgium, Austria and Germany made clear they would extend the temporary work barriers for another three years.

Indeed, initial concerns on mass inflows of cheap labour appear to be overstated. Nonetheless, countries like Germany have to consider that the vicinity to Eastern Europe may attract much more people since the transaction cost for working in Germany are much lesser than going to the UK, Ireland or Sweden. Anyway, the results from Britain make us hope that labour migration may bring significant benefits to host and sending countries and of course to migrants themselves.

by
Daniel Naujoks

Further Information:

The full UK Government report