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Migrant Workers
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The Irish Independent reports on the Government’s plans to introduce work permits for the 2 new accession states Romania and Bulgaria.
The Irish Independent has learned the State wants to end its open-door policy for migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania.
Thousands of workers from the two EU accession states had been expected to move here once they became full members of the EU in January 2007.
Now, however, government sources have revealed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Justice Minister Michael McDowell plan to introduce specific work-permits for nationals from the two new EU member states.
There is also plans to bring in new ID card system for non-EU nationals. Which some fear will create a new them and us type system with anyone looking non-EU will be asked to show this ID.
Labours position seems to be the same.
Mr Howlin accepted there was a need for a rational debate on the case for a national identity card but he would be reluctant to insist that only a section of the community should be required to carry such a card.
Considering that Pat Rabbitte suggested that all immigrants should have permits I guess their problem with ID’s is that it does not go far enough.
Also if this is for combating terrorism why did we not bring in ID cards when we had terrorism on this island? Also if the need is for everyone to carry an ID how about get a bit of use out of those Garda I.D’s if people have no drivers licences?
Sam Smyth writes Let’s not turn poll into racial battlefield which with the parties seemingly trying to out do each other on immigration reform might not be a bad piece of advice to listen to. We need to look at the facts not Pat’s anecdotal evidence
There’s a debate going on on the Politics forum of Boards.ie about imposing work restrictions on EU citizens; the problem is that all the work restrictions in the world can’t stop people traveling to other EU countries; there is still a freedom of movement that is central to the European project.
What that essentially means is that people will travel here and join the black-market work force; it’s already happened in the 12 other “old EU” countries that imposed restrictions on the 10 new states in 2004. Indeed the actual effect has been that the likes of Ireland, the UK and Sweden have gotten the educated Polish workers who have something to offer while the less educated masses went for the labour-intensive jobs in the EU black market. Apparently even if someone from Poland was caught working in, say Germany illegally they can only be deported; at which point they can return freely as “tourists” and start all over again.
At least with the freedom to work we have documented immigrants who pay taxes and contribute to the economy
Wonder what effect this will have on a slowing housing market?
Will have to wait until the EU Comission meet in October to make a decision on the Jan 1 entry date, after Romania but more severly Bulgaria got their knuckles rapped earlier in the summer on their prepardness.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2006/com2006_0214en01.pdf
Adam I’m not sure if you are right about freedom of movement. I am unsure, but I do know that legalising work here will inevitably increase the numbers coming here. Personally I have grave doubts about the wisdom of allowing Romania into the EU, with its 23 million people and a notoriety for people-trafficking. Bulgaria is handing out visas to Macedonians desperate to travel to the West. I think it was a great mistake for the Accession Treaty to only allow a 1 yr delay (to 2008) on their entry. It reduces our leverage to force these countries to meet EU criteria. Bulgaria has also been a target of complaints by Western prosecutors about its refusal or failure to prosecute its mafiosi. Their living-standards, while improving, remain appallingly low by Western standards but also very bad by Eastern European standards. I don’t believe we should let these countries into the EU at this time. The Accession Treaty will only come into force when all members ratify it, and while a referendum is not required for this I’d rather one was held. Germany is apparently threatening not to ratify (which it must do by December if the Accession Treaty isn’t to be scuppered). I think Enlargement fatigue has set in around Europe (at least the West) and the elites need to listen for once. I am glad therefore that the govt is planning restrictions. But Enda Kenny has already told Ursula Halligan on “The Political Party” that he will open our borders to these countries. I think its crazy and will probably be used by FF canvassers on the doorsteps to great effect next year unless he reverses position pronto.
I can’t see us opening our doors unrestriced to Bulgarians and Romanians in the short term. We simply will not be able to cope. If the next Govt. can turn around the social and economical gaps in the country than maybe. But as it is the Eastern Europeans are already taking a lot of our jobs, becuase they are better workers that most Irish people. A builder told my Dad recently that he doesn’t employ blacks or Irish people because they are not good workers. The Eastern Europeans seem to be the best.
There is already massive inequality in the country. If we can sort this out than maybe we can think about letting in as many Bulgarians and Romanians as we want. Go dtí sin, we’ll have to restrict their numbers, if we can let in any more at all.