Calls to restrict new EU workers

RESTRICTIONS must be placed on Romanians and Bulgarians entering the Irish labour market when they join the EU next year, one of Ireland’s leading trade unionists warned yesterday.

Speaking at SIPTU’s annual conference in Dublin yesterday, its president Jack O’Connor insisted Ireland must not fully open its doors to both countries until full protection measures are in place for workers.

“For that reason we must insist that open border status is not extended to Romania or Bulgaria until all these measures are implemented and seen to be effective,” he said.