barfly
15-01-03, 11:15
Sweden may keep new EU states' workers out
STOCKHOLM, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Sweden may not let new
European Union member states' workers enter its labour market
when enlargement takes effect in May 2004, a Swedish newspaper
on Wednesday quoted an expert report as saying.
The report was due to be submitted to the government later
on Wednesday.
"The report will recommend transition arrangements," the
daily Dagens Nyheter quoted Vaxjo University economics professor
Jan Ekberg as saying.
"Even though the candidate countries are joining the EU,
Sweden will not open up for them at once," said Ekberg, who has
contributed to the report.
If Sweden imposes such transition arrangements it will join
Germany and Austria which have won the right to keep workers
from the 10 new EU member states out for up to seven years from
the May 1, 2004 entry date.
Berlin and Vienna fear that their labour markets will be
swamped by East European labour willing to work for lower wages,
eroding salaries and living standards of Germans and Austrians.
Labour immigration emerged as a theme in campaigning ahead
of Sweden's general election last September.
The Social Democrats, who won their third straight four-year
term in government, oppose unhindered immigration of foreigners
seeking work but are keen to stress that Sweden must stand by
its generous asylum and refugee policy.
Ik vind het steeds meer weg hebben van Orwells Animalfarm:
Alle dieren zijn gelijk maar sommige dieren zijn iets meer gelijk dan andere dieren.
STOCKHOLM, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Sweden may not let new
European Union member states' workers enter its labour market
when enlargement takes effect in May 2004, a Swedish newspaper
on Wednesday quoted an expert report as saying.
The report was due to be submitted to the government later
on Wednesday.
"The report will recommend transition arrangements," the
daily Dagens Nyheter quoted Vaxjo University economics professor
Jan Ekberg as saying.
"Even though the candidate countries are joining the EU,
Sweden will not open up for them at once," said Ekberg, who has
contributed to the report.
If Sweden imposes such transition arrangements it will join
Germany and Austria which have won the right to keep workers
from the 10 new EU member states out for up to seven years from
the May 1, 2004 entry date.
Berlin and Vienna fear that their labour markets will be
swamped by East European labour willing to work for lower wages,
eroding salaries and living standards of Germans and Austrians.
Labour immigration emerged as a theme in campaigning ahead
of Sweden's general election last September.
The Social Democrats, who won their third straight four-year
term in government, oppose unhindered immigration of foreigners
seeking work but are keen to stress that Sweden must stand by
its generous asylum and refugee policy.
Ik vind het steeds meer weg hebben van Orwells Animalfarm:
Alle dieren zijn gelijk maar sommige dieren zijn iets meer gelijk dan andere dieren.