Britain and Ireland will restrict the influx of migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania after they join the European Union in January in a shift from the open-door policy adopted towards other eastern Europeans.
The controls, announced by both countries on Tuesday, respond to growing public concern in the bloc that floods of migrants are undercutting resident workers and crowding public services following the EU's eastward enlargement in 2004. Similar measures are expected to be applied by many western EU states, though Slovakia has announced an open-door policy.
Britain's restrictions, to be reviewed annually, seek to limit numbers of low-skilled migrants from the two states. Critics called them unworkable, especially since they exempt self-employed workers, and said they would encourage illegal labour and tax evasion.
"The UK will maintain controls on Romania and Bulgaria's access to jobs for a transitional period," Home Secretary (Interior Minister) John Reid said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming Romanian and Bulgarian workers here, provided that they comply with our rules and obey the law," he said.
The move comes after London grossly underestimated the numbers of eastern European workers coming to Britain following the EU's enlargement and as Prime Minister Tony Blair's government comes under public pressure over rising immigration. In response, Bulgaria said it would consider placing similar restrictions on UK workers.
"The possibility of reciprocal measures from the Bulgarian side will be discussed as concerns Britain or any other EU member states who impose restrictions for the free movement of workers," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Dimitar Tsanchev.
Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu said Blair had caved in to populist demands from the opposition and promised to fight to remove the controls as soon as possible. "Unfortunately, the British government gave in to pressure," he told reporters.
Britain won favour with the 2004 newcomers when it offered their workers unfettered access. Sweden and Ireland were the only other two EU countries that adopted the open-door policy. Students can take part-time work provided they are enrolled in an approved college.
As part of the changes, London will phase out all low-skilled migration schemes for non-EU workers from January. Ireland said Bulgarians and Romanians would have to continue to apply for work permits, with preference over non-EU members. The new rules will not impact workers from the countries that joined the bloc in 2004.