IBEC 'regret' restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians

IBEC have expressed disappointment at the Govt decision to insist on work permits for citizens from Bulgaria and Romania.

The business and employers group today said that while it understood the decision to put in place a work permit regime for citizens from Bulgaria and Romania, it regretted that the proposals would not give preference to these new EU citizens over non-European Economic Area nationals in a more definitive manner.

IBEC had recommended that Ireland should allow Bulgarian and Romanian citizens to be granted work permits on foot of a job offer, without having to go through the 'labour market test', which is part of the current government proposal.

IBEC Director General Turlough O’Sullivan said: “Restrictions on full access for Romanian and Bulgarian workers to the labour market should be limited in time and scope. The transitional measures being put in place should also give preference to these workers over individuals from third countries.”

“While it is necessary to put in place a system that enables the effective on-going monitoring of the situation, the aim right across Europe must be to press ahead with the necessary adjustments to allow full free movement at the earliest opportunity.”

IBEC also said that the early declaration of the Government’s intentions should give employers and individuals enough time to understand the rules that will apply in January and to prepare appropriately for them.

IBEC is the national voice of and is the umbrella body for Ireland’s leading sectoral groups and associations. IBEC also provides a wide range of direct services to its 8,000 members, which range from the very small to the largest enterprises, employing over 70% of the private sector workforce in Ireland.