Free movement of people and the EU enlargement

The General Affairs Council on 14 May will seek agreement on transition arrangements for the free movement of people in connection with the EU enlargement. The discussion in the Council has focused on a three-stage model. The free movement can be carried out in connection with an automatic review, after national work permit procedures have been applied for two years, or provided with security clausels regarding serious labour market disruptions. A third alternative would be the continuation of work permit procedures. The member countries can also give up their work permit procedures before the new members join the EU.

Finland´s position is to maintain the national work permit procedure for two years after the accession of the new members and this will apply similarly to all new member countries in Eastern and Central Europe. Finland also agrees with the review arrangement, according to which each old member country will decide on further measures after two years and inform the commission whether they want to continue applying the national work permit procedures. The labour market parties will be consulted in this connection.

Finland regards the possibility given to the old member countries to make use of a security clausel during the transition period in case of serious labour market disruptions as justifiable. The continuation of the national work permit procedures requires serious labour market disruptions or a threat by them and should, according to Finland´s view, be applied only in exceptional circumstances.

The applicant countries should also make quarantees that they can manage the necessary coordination of social security. It is also the duty of each applicant to make sure that the skills of the professionals meet the minimu requirements set by the community legislation.