Brits want to block immigration
TEXT OF STORY
MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: Two of Britain’s main employer organizations want to limit further immigration from Eastern Europe.They say an influx of migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania next year could cause problems. From London, Stephen Beard has more.
STEPHEN BEARD: When eight East European countries including Poland joined the European Union two years ago, Britain offered the new members full access to the British labor market. Most other member states had restrictions.
British employers applauded. The subsequent influx of more than half a million East Europeans into the UK has filled labor shortages here and checked wage inflation.
But now Romania and Bulgaria are set to join the EU next year and many British employers have changed their tune.
David Frost of the British Chambers of Commerce:
DAVID FROST: We’re now seeing a rise in unemployment in the UK and I think we need to stand back before we just throw the doors open to Romania and Bulgaria.
He fears that a fresh wave of migrants could cause friction and put a heavy burden on Britain’s public services.
In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
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