Press Release: The Commission accepts that Spain can temporarily restrict the free movement of Romanian workers

Following a request from the Spanish authorities on 28th July 2011, the European Commission has approved Spain's request to restrict its labour market to Romanian workers until 31 December 2012 due to serious disturbances on its labour market. Spain has been hit very hard by the crisis. The unprecedented fall in GDP (‑3.9% between 2008 and 2010) has resulted in the highest unemployment rate in the EU, over 20% since May 2010. The continuous increase of Romanian residents in Spain and their high level of unemployment have had an impact on the capacity of Spain to absorb new inflows of workers.

ESO: Background information: Spain to make u-turn on labour market access for Romanians http://www.europeansources.info/record/spain-to-make-u-turn-on-labour-market-access-for-romanians/

EurActiv, 12.08.11: Spain obtains ‘safeguard’ against Romanian workers http://www.euractiv.com/en/future-eu/spain-obtains-safeguard-romanian-workers-news-506979

EuropeanVoice, 12.08.11: Commission backs Spanish ban on Romanians http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2011/august/commission-backs-spanish-ban-on-romanians/71850.aspx

European Commission: Memo/11/554: The Commission accepts that Spain can temporarily restrict the free movement of Romanian workers http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/554&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

---