New EU states boost workforce by 100,000

MORE THAN 100,000 workers from the 10 accession countries have applied for social security numbers since the nations joined the EU last year.

Figures reveal that 104,000 PPS numbers have been issued by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to persons from eastern Europe, Malta and Cyprus up to the end of June.

The numbers arriving have remained steady over the 14 months, although a record number, 11,500, applied last month.

Ireland and Britain are the only EU countries that allowed free movement of workers from the accession countries from May 1, 2004. Since that date, more than 50,000 Poles, 20,000 Lithuanians and more than 10,000 Latvians have been seeking work in Ireland.

Some are likely to have already been in Ireland on a work permit, others will have returned to their home countries. There is evidence of heavy traffic both ways, particularly between Ireland and Poland.

The only restriction is that workers from the accessions countries have to reside here for at least two years before being able to apply for benefits.

Both unions and business leaders describe as positive the influx of workers from the accession countries and argue the liberal approach by the Government has been vindicated.

SIPTU’s Mike Jennings said thousands of workers are now free of the “scourge” of work permits. It has allowed people with qualifications, who were forced to work as unskilled labourers, to apply for jobs more suited to their abilities, he said.

“I think it’s a very positive thing. We have some concerns in relation to those countries themselves and would not like them to suffer from a brain drain.

“However, the experience since May 1 last year shows the scare stories were wrong.”

Unions have also benefited, said Mr Jennings.

SIPTU has gained up to 12,000 international members, mainly from the enlarged EU.

“There is much more a sense that these workers are now in a position to stand up and are not prepared to accept unacceptable conditions,” he said.

Maria Cronin, IBEC’s director of European social policy, said the business group welcomed the Government’s stance at the time of accession.

“We still have an economy that is growing, almost full employment, so in terms of the growth of the economy, they have played a very fundamental role.”

The Central Statistics Office estimates that Ireland needs 50,000 overseas workers for the next 12 years.

A third are likely to be employed in the catering and tourism sectors.

However, the history of other enlargements suggests that workers prefer to live and work in their home countries, said Ms Cronin.

In addition, the restrictions on worker movement to countries such as Germany and France must be lifted within the next six years while employment opportunities in the accession countries are likely to improve, meaning many more will stay at home.

PPS applications

Poland: 52,271.

Lithuania: 21,390.

Latvia: 10,773.

Slovakia: 8,938.

Czech Republic: 5,236.

Hungary: 3,160.

Estonia: 2,652.

Malta: 191.

Slovenia: 101.

Cyprus: 34.