Ireland to maintain labor market restrictions for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens

The Irish government will maintain the labor market restrictions for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens for at least another three years, due to the increase in the number of unemployed people in the country, the Irish Times reads on Monday.

The decision was taken despite the pressure coming from both countries, which consider the measure as discretionary and discriminatory. The European Commission encouraged EU member states to eliminate all restrictions for Romanians and Bulgarians.

The Irish government decided to restrict their labor market for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens for two years starting in 2007 when the two countries joined the EU. According to EU regulations, restrictions can amount to seven years per total.