Britons Move to Curb Bulgarian, Romanian Influx with Petition
Bulgaria in EU | March 1, 2013, Friday| 1586 views
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The official stance of the UK government is that the labor restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians will be lifted from January 1, 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES
A petition is gathering strength in the UK to stop the "massive imigration" of Bulgarians and Romanians in 2014, when EU restrictions on immigration are relaxed.
January 1, 2014, is the expiration date of the seven-year transition period after Bulgaria and Romania's EU accession, in which the other EU member states could limit Bulgarians and Romanians' access to their labor markets.
The online petition, which has been signed by some 62 000 people so far, calls requests that the government suspend the easing on these restrictions for another 5 years. It has claimed that lifting the restriction would put pressure on housing, infrastructure, schools, and heath care.
The requested move, however, is virtually impossible.
As Employment Commissioner Laszlo Andor once again reminded on Thursday no EU member state State can unilaterally extend the existing labor market restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians beyond the end of 2013.
Controversial claims have been made by a number of British tabloids and politicians that the UK should brace for a massive"influx" of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants after the end of 2013.
The official stance of the UK government is that the labor restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians will be lifted from January 1, 2014.
Tags: European Union, European Commission, labor market, labor markets, labor rights, UK, Britain, Great Britain, uk independence party, Laszlo Andor, EU Commissioner, EU Commissioner for Employment, Jonathan Todd, infringement procedure, Bulgarians, Romanians
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