France lifts labor restrictions for Romanians for another 150 professions after one-year ban

France granted Romanians and the citizens of the European Union member states free access to another 150 professions, in constructions, commerce, agriculture or informatics, a release by the National Agency for Labor Force Occupancy reads.

The 150 types of jobs also include the hotel industry, the food industry, fishing, mechanics and metal processing. The decision to unlock the access to all these jobs was made in France on January 18.

Until that moment, Romanians only had access to 62 professions. France had previously imposed several restrictions on the labor market and Romanians had access only to a part of the official jobs existing in the country, in a bid to protect its own workers.

Another country which pledged to lift labor market restrictions for Romanians in 2008 is Romania's western neighbor, Hungary which imposed restrictions last year.

On the other hand the Dutch Parliament in December 2007 opposed the government's project for opening the labor market for Romanians and Bulgarians after 2009.

Until 2009, Romanians and Bulgarians who want to work in the Netherlands must obtain a labor permit from the proper authorities.

Romanians and Bulgarians working abroad usually prefer countries like Spain and Italy on cultural similarities grounds.

The Money Channel