EC allows Spain to curb Romanians’ access to jobs

The European Commission on Thursday decided to make an exception to its full free movement rules among member states and allow Spain to temporarily restrict Romanian workers from seeking jobs in the country.

“This decision has been taken because of the very specific employment situation in Spain,” EU Employment Commissioner Laszlo Andor said in a statement. “The Commission understands why, at this particular juncture – because of the dramatic employment situation and the very complex financial environment – the Spanish authorities wish to step back from full free movement.”

Under the agreement, Spain can keep Romanians from entering the country until December 31, 2012 and must inform the EC about the progress in imposing such restrictions. The new rules would only affect Romanians coming to Spain to look for jobs without having prior contracts. It will not affect those living in Spain who are registered with and paying into the social security system. The Labor Ministry explained it would also not affect Romanians who just want to visit Spain – only those who come to seek employment.

Diana Diru, a Romanian business community leader in Spain, lamented the decision by Brussels because it only singles out people from her country.

“They are blaming us for high unemployment,” she said.

Since Romania joined the EU in 2007, Romanians have become the largest minority group in Spain, surpassing Moroccans and Ecuadorians. According to the National Institute of Statistics, there are 864,278 Romanians living in Spain, making up 15 percent of all migrants in the country.

via EC allows Spain to curb Romanians’ access to jobs · ELPAÍS.com in English.

The foreign vote will be key in eight municipalities of Castellón

The province of Castellón has 15,586 foreign citizens registered to vote in the upcoming municipal elections on May 22. These foreign residents could be the key in eight municipalities where they represent over 10% of the total electorate.
Sant Jordi, a town in the Baix Maestrat with barely a thousand inhabitants, has the highest percentage of foreign voters in Castellón, with 27.7%, followed by the population of Els Ports de Todolella (200 inhabitants), with 15.3%, and Vall d’Alba (Plana Alta), with 14.9%. All three are small towns in the interior and are governed by the PP, with the mayors of the first population (Luis Tena) and third (Francisco Martinez) vice presidents of the Diputación de Castellón. The foreign vote also exceeds 10% of the electorate in Alcala de Xivert (14.6%), Oropesa (13.9%), Peniscola (14.1%), Benlloch (11%) and Pobla de Benifassà (10.1% .) Foreign nationals account for 9.8% of Santa Magdalena de Pulpis and 8.5% of Cabanes.
By regions, the Baix Maestrat has the highest percentage of foreign voters, with 5.8%, followed by Plana Alta with 5.4%, and Els Ports, with 4.6%. In the Plana Baixa represent only 2.2%, in Alto Mijares 2.9%, in Alto Palancia 2.3%, in l’Alt Maestrat 2.8% and in l Alcalatén l’´1.7% .