Spain to open labour market to former communist EU members

Spain will lift a curb on workers from the European Union's former communist states on May 1, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said on Thursday. The only countries of the EU fifteen that have their labour markets open so far are Britain, Ireland, and Sweden. In a telephone call to his Spanish counterpart on Thursday, Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda welcomed the decision.

Finland and Portugal are also expected to open their doors to labourers when a two-year transition period ends in May. Germany, Austria, and France will most likely uphold their restrictions on foreign workers.

Author: Dita Asiedu