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24/10/2006
New restrictions on immigrants' rights to work in UK
The Home Secretary, John Reid, has announced restrictions on Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants' rights to work in Britain ahead of their countries joining the EU in January.
The move was prompted by a massive influx of Polish workers in the last few years.
Mr Reid announced that food processing and agriculture will be the only sectors initially opened to 'less skilled' nationals from Bulgaria and Romania for a 'transitional period'.
The Home Secretary commented: "We will expect employers to look exclusively to workers from EU nations to meet any low-skilled labour shortages within the UK.
"We can therefore announce today that from January 1, 2007, we will be phasing out all low-skilled migration schemes for workers from outside the EU."
A Migration Advisory Committee will be introduced to 'advise on how the quotas on low-skilled migration are managed' in a written statement to Parliament.
EU rules mean Romanians and Bulgarians will be free to live in the UK, and to take any job if self-employed.
News sources say that the curbs contrast with the 'open-door' policy when the eight former communist states joined in 2004.
The policy for Bulgaria and Romania is to be reviewed annually, with ministers saying they will listen to industries if they feel they need more manual workers.
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis is reported as stating that the fact that anyone from Romania and Bulgaria can work in the UK if they are self-employed as a big loophole.
Mr Davis has has also raised concerns about the possibility of people working in the 'black economy' and not paying tax.
Downing Street is believed to back Mr Reid's view that restrictions are necessary to prevent a political backlash.
(DS)
The move was prompted by a massive influx of Polish workers in the last few years.
Mr Reid announced that food processing and agriculture will be the only sectors initially opened to 'less skilled' nationals from Bulgaria and Romania for a 'transitional period'.
The Home Secretary commented: "We will expect employers to look exclusively to workers from EU nations to meet any low-skilled labour shortages within the UK.
"We can therefore announce today that from January 1, 2007, we will be phasing out all low-skilled migration schemes for workers from outside the EU."
A Migration Advisory Committee will be introduced to 'advise on how the quotas on low-skilled migration are managed' in a written statement to Parliament.
EU rules mean Romanians and Bulgarians will be free to live in the UK, and to take any job if self-employed.
News sources say that the curbs contrast with the 'open-door' policy when the eight former communist states joined in 2004.
The policy for Bulgaria and Romania is to be reviewed annually, with ministers saying they will listen to industries if they feel they need more manual workers.
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis is reported as stating that the fact that anyone from Romania and Bulgaria can work in the UK if they are self-employed as a big loophole.
Mr Davis has has also raised concerns about the possibility of people working in the 'black economy' and not paying tax.
Downing Street is believed to back Mr Reid's view that restrictions are necessary to prevent a political backlash.
(DS)
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