Slovenia to close its labour market to Croatians for 2 yrs
Option open to all EU members
(ANSAmed) - LJUBLJANA, JUNE 7 - Slovenia will limit access to its labour market for Croatian nationals for two years. The announcement was made by Slovenian Labour Minister Anja Kopac, who said that the government had sent to the draft law to parliament and that it is expected to be approved prior to Zagreb's entrance into the EU on July 1.
The moratorium is provided for by Croatia's accession treaty as an option for all EU countries. Slovenia's decision means that despite being European citizens, Croatians working regularly in Slovenia will have to apply for and be granted a work permit identical to the one needed by non-EU nationals. The minister went on to say that the government had decided to make use of the right to a moratorium ''due to Slovenia's high unemployment rate on account of the difficult economic situation''.
''There are many jobless in nearby Croatia as well, with about 100,000 only in the region bordering Slovenia,'' she added, calling it a ''rational decision aiming to give priority to unemployed Slovenians, and is in no way against Croatia''. Slovenia's unemployment rate is now at 13%, while there are a total of 330,000 unemployed in Croatia: about 20% of the total workforce.
On the basis of the principle of reciprocity, Zagreb will bring in the same measure within its borders as concerns Slovenian citizens. Any EU member state has the right to close off its labour market to Croatians for a temporary period of up to seven years.
Croatian media outlets report that similar limitations will be imposed on Croatians in the United Kingdom, Austria and Germany, though in the latter country those holding a degree and seasonal workers will be exempt. France is reportedly still debating whether or not to impose a moratorium, while there will not be any restrictions for Croatians in Denmark, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania.
Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia recently sent a letter to Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, urging him to look into the matter of Croatia's entrance in the EU. Zaia was concerned about the consequences this will have on the labour market in Italy, and especially in the Veneto region.
The moratorium is provided for by Croatia's accession treaty as an option for all EU countries. Slovenia's decision means that despite being European citizens, Croatians working regularly in Slovenia will have to apply for and be granted a work permit identical to the one needed by non-EU nationals. The minister went on to say that the government had decided to make use of the right to a moratorium ''due to Slovenia's high unemployment rate on account of the difficult economic situation''.
''There are many jobless in nearby Croatia as well, with about 100,000 only in the region bordering Slovenia,'' she added, calling it a ''rational decision aiming to give priority to unemployed Slovenians, and is in no way against Croatia''. Slovenia's unemployment rate is now at 13%, while there are a total of 330,000 unemployed in Croatia: about 20% of the total workforce.
On the basis of the principle of reciprocity, Zagreb will bring in the same measure within its borders as concerns Slovenian citizens. Any EU member state has the right to close off its labour market to Croatians for a temporary period of up to seven years.
Croatian media outlets report that similar limitations will be imposed on Croatians in the United Kingdom, Austria and Germany, though in the latter country those holding a degree and seasonal workers will be exempt. France is reportedly still debating whether or not to impose a moratorium, while there will not be any restrictions for Croatians in Denmark, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania.
Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia recently sent a letter to Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, urging him to look into the matter of Croatia's entrance in the EU. Zaia was concerned about the consequences this will have on the labour market in Italy, and especially in the Veneto region.
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