Labour fears exaggerated, says survey

Date: 31/05/01

By Dennis Abbott

Member state fears of being 'swamped' by cheap labour following enlargement appear to be exaggerated, according to a new survey.

In the past eight months the percentage of Hungarians and Czechs who say they would turn down a job offer in Western Europe has risen, while the numbers who would probably or certainly try to find a job has remained relatively static.

The free movement of labour survey found that 57% of Hungarians and 45% of Czechs would definitely not be interested in moving, even if they had an offer of work; this compares to 53% and 33%, respectively, last September.

The May 2001 figures show that the number of Poles who would try to work in the West is up from 10% to 13%, but only 7% of Hungarians (up 1%) and a static 4% of Czechs would follow suit.

Berlin, however, will continue to be concerned that, of the proportion of Central Europeans questioned who are interested in migrating, between 40 and 48% prefer Germany. The next favoured destinations are Austria, for 24% of Hungarians; the UK, for 14% of Czechs; and France, for 9% of Poles.

Few Central Europeans interested in finding a job abroad are planning to settle there permanently: Poles 13%, Hungarians and Czechs, both 5%.

An overwhelming majority in the three countries think their governments should demand concessions from the EU if, as expected, a several-year transition period for free movement is set.

The survey, carried out by the Central European Opinion Research Group, questioned 3,570 people between 28 April and 14 May. The full results are being published on its website, www.ceorg-europe.org.

European Voice Enlargement Survey next week - 7 June.

Member State fears of being 'swamped' by cheap labour following enlargement appear to be exaggerated, according to a new survey carried out by the Central European Opinion Research Group.

http://www.ceorg-europe.org http://www.ceorg-europe.org

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