The government of Ireland confirmed Tuesday its decision to extend the ban on Bulgarians and Romanians to work in the country for three more years.

During its final meeting for 2008, the Irish cabinet agreed the labor restrictions must stay because of the effects of the global financial crisis including the rising unemployment in the country, the Irish Times reported.

Thus, Bulgarians and Romanians will have to continue to apply for a work permit in order to get a job in Ireland.

The decision of the Irish government is contrary to a recommendation by an European Commission report published in November that all labor restrictions on the citizens of the newest EU member states be lifted as soon as possible.

After Bulgaria and Romania's EU accession on January 1, 2007, Ireland decided to institute two-year period of work permit requirements on Bulgarians and Romanians.

Under EU law, the country has the right to impose "transitional restrictions" for a period of up to seven years.

According to the Irish Times, between January 1, 2007, and October 31, 2008, 241 Romanians and 58 Bulgarians have received permits to work in Ireland.

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