Commissie bespreekt regels inzake arbeidsmigratie uit Oost-Europa (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission is set to draw up guidelines in a bid to clarify uncertainties concerning what measures each of the current member states may take to restrict market access for workers from central and eastern Europe.

However, this is easier said than done. Member states are very reluctant to give information about their plans which have proved extremely controversial in the new member states.

At a meeting on Thursday dealing with this issue, several of the current member states gave information to the Commission but were reluctant to do so on a formal basis as their own plans are not set.

Moreover, Greece, Denmark and the UK were not present at the meeting.

"We are still short of the necessary detail", said a social affairs spokesperson for the Commission on Friday (12 March).

Member states are not obliged to give the information to the Commission but the Brussels executive, as guardian of the EU treaties, must ensure that any measures taken do not contravene the EU's own law such as discrimination on the grounds of nationality.

Repeated calls by the Commission over the past six months for information has been met with a stony silence by member states.

Although it is not entirely clear what measures some member states - such as Greece - are going to take, it is fairly certain that all member states, except Ireland, intend to restrict worker access in some way.

Ireland has decided to apply some restrictions to welfare benefits but to both current and new member state citizens so it cannot be accused of discrimination.

New member states have reacted angrily to the moves. Both Poland and Hungary have indicated they may instigate retaliatory measures - and not fully open their markets to citizens from existing member states.

Legally, member states can impose restrictions on citizens from central and eastern Europe for up to seven years - however what irks the new member states is that when the details were being worked out in 2002, only Germany and Austria said they would impose restrictions.