Ireland's decision to uphold labour market restrictions on Romanian and Bulgarian nationals makes them 'second class' EU citizens, the head of the Romanian Community in Ireland has claimed. The Irish Government will review the restrictions by the end of 2011, a spokesperson has said.
By Catherine Reilly
ROMANIANS in Ireland are being treated as second-class EU citizens, the head of the Romanian Community has claimed.
Anca Lupu expressed her disappointment at the Government’s decision to uphold labour market restrictions for Romanians, with a review not planned until the end of 2011. Nationals of the ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have enjoyed open access to the Irish labour market, but Romanians and Bulgarians, whose countries entered the EU in 2007, have still required work permits, although their applications are given priority over non-EU applicants. The Government says it has upheld the restrictions due to the global financial crisis.
“We do not think it is a fair decision as we are not considered equal in Europe, we are seen as second class EU citizens,” Lupu told Metro Eireann, adding that she had not foreseen that the review would be so far away.
“I understand that Ireland is going through a difficult economic situation but I believe that many of the Romanians working in Ireland have contributed to the economy so far.”
Romanians who hold a work permit for at least 12 months are then entitled to work without one, however during this period they are effectively tied to one employer, and their spouses must also apply for a separate permit if they intend working.
Lupu said that Romanians who came two or three months ago looking for work and “hoping that they would not need a work permit any more” have had their hopes shattered. Most found jobs, she added, but many had difficulty getting work permits due to numerous labour market tests that apply during the application process.
The number of work permits issued during 2008 was down significantly on 2007. A total 12,143 work permits were issued to migrants this year to the end of October, down 39 per cent on the equivalent figure last year. Of those work permits issued, 4,645 were renewals.
