Finland and Spain to lift EU job curbs

Finland and Spain will open their jobs markets fully to migrant workers from Eastern Europe in May.

Finland's ministry of labour unanimously backed plans to lift restrictions on May 1 this year - when transitional arrangements come up for renewal.

The proposal still requires a decision from the country's government and parliament.

Falling unemployment and a skills shortage in some sectors has made it easier for Helsinki to lift barriers.

Spain has indicated that it will also lift restrictions in May and Belgium and Portugal are considering following suit.

The European Commission hopes Greece, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands might at least partially lift restrictions soon.

So far only the UK, Ireland and Sweden have fully opened labour markets since the accession of ten new member states in 2003.

Last week the EU executive produced a report singing the praises of the UK, Ireland and Sweden.

A report presented on Wednesday said the three countries had benefited from lifting restrictions and urged other EU states to follow suit.

Workers from the new member states had helped boost economic growth in Britain and kept interest rates stable, employment commissioner Vladimir Spidla insisted.

But trade unions fear lifting job curbs will drive wages into a negative spiral.

Their frustration will be compounded this week as MEPs attempt to hammer out a deal on the services directive.

At least 25,000 trade unionists – mainly from the old member states – are expected to protest against allowing service providers to operate across EU borders.

France opposed the measure after it angered trade unions, fuelling opposition to the EU constitution, which French voters rejected in a referendum last May.

French unionists say services reform could undermine wages, benefits and safety standards, and encourage French firms to move operations abroad.

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