EU: Hopes & Concerns

“As soon as Poland joins the European Union, many young people are going to leave and go to Western Europe to look for work,” my taxi driver told me as we drove into the centre of Warsaw.

The possible mass migration of East Europeans to the West when 10 new countries join the EU on 1 May has many worried in present EU countries that their jobs and way of life are under threat.

But is this feared flight of people really going to happen? I don’t think so. The skilled people who want to move probably have already. And for those contemplating it, they shouldn’t deceive themselves that visas and the piles of paperwork (surely the bane of any migrant) are going to disappear.

And what’s in the Western Europe that people like my taxi driver could want? Higher salaries sure, but also higher prices and taxes.

A look around me here in Warsaw, and the trendy youngsters of the Polish capital hardly look like they’re busy packing their bags. I’ll be interested to learn what their hopes and concerns are.

Posted by Samantha Tonkin at 09:54

http://imajes.info/ James Cox

I think any integration takes time, and the eu enlargement is of no exception. Whether we’ll see the regular transfer of people in 6 months – 2 years is debateable, but certainly i agree that there probably wont be any max exodus.
There are other concerns: about how we deal with economic integration, about what being a member of the EU really means – whether countries will work to survive and progress the union, strengthening it. And to wonder what the critical mass is? Will we reach a point when the group gets too big, and nothing will be achieved? (have we reached that point already?)
http://www.oliviertravers.com/ Olivier Travers

There are some exceptions that are going to last for a transition period lasting several years, so it’s unlikely people coming from Central Europe will flood the west if they’re not welcome as workers for the time being. Plus in the biggest countries such as France and Germany the labor market is tepid at best so why come if there are no jobs to be found?
http://www.hebig.com/ Heiko Hebig

The exception rules will prevent the feared “mass flooding” for sure, so people should not be afraid.
Sidenote: “From 1st May 2004 Accession State Nationals will no longer require work permits to work in Ireland.”
The EU enlargement is an exciting challenge and a reason to celebrate.
http://mastilak.topcities.com/ Julius Mastilak

I think the EU enlargement will make EU more active and less comfortable.
From my meetings and debate with the couterparts from the western part of Europe I was really surprised by their understanding of social welfare and social services – for them it is something that is automatic and granted for like forever.
Central/eastern European countries will bring more competition and enhance the dynamism of Europe.
Regarding the distribution of funds in Europe I see a very important role of public funds in IT, science and educational development at the expense of agricultural support (here we could also support modern technologies at least).
Serdar Gokcel

It isn’t the first time that the topic “mass immigration” has been discussed. People had the same worries about Spain and Portugal, but things just worked out fine. Is this a proof that such a thing will not occur after 1st of May? Well, not really, but it’s still a valid example. My real concern is the same with James Cox’ though. I have a feeling this “expansion fadness” will become the new “anti-big bang theory”, it has to collapse somewhere unless EU is planning to colonize in outer space as well…
http://www.weforum.org Samantha

I have to agree with you Julius – if anything, the accession states are going to be the wake-up call that Western Europe needs. The countries joinging the EU I’m sure are going to inject new life and dynamism into the old Union… “no pain, no gain”.
Ov. Christian Norocel

Indeed this issue seems to heat up all debate lists. From my point of view there will not be any mass exodus. As someone said it already, the EU business environment will encourage the competitive Easterners to join the Common Labour market, and thus injecting a more dynamic human capital and waking up the “sleepy economies”. Moreover, I do not think that EU has reached its critical mass, I know that this might be a threat, but with a more commited economic open-ness the things will mark an economic impetus. Nevertheless, this will also mark a new age and will require reforming the wellfare ideology, but I am convinced that the possitive outputs will overcome the transitional shadows.
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EU: Hopes & Concerns

By: Samantha Tonkin

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