EU Labour Migration since Enlargement : Trends, Impacts and Policies

The debate about the opening-up of labour markets in the enlarged European Union is crucial for the ongoing process of European integration. The contributions to this book shed light on the dimensions, characteristics and impacts of labour migration between selected sending (Hungary, Latvia and Poland) and receiving (Austria, Germany, Sweden and the UK) countries.

One of the most important consequences of EU enlargement in May 2004 was to extend the principle of the free movement of labour to the citizens of the central and eastern European new member states. In this book a team of labour economists and migration experts sheds light on the dimensions, characteristics and impacts of cross-border labour migration in selected sending (Hungary, Latvia and Poland) and receiving (Austria, Germany, Sweden and the UK) countries. Separate contributions detail the policy responses by governments, employers and trade unions in these countries to the challenges posed by both inward and outward migration. By setting out and analyzing the facts for seven countries, which vary greatly in their geographical situation, policies, and outcomes, the book contributes to the debate on this crucial issue in the ongoing process of European integration.