What Happens When the Migration Barriers for 10 New EU Member States Already Fall in 2009? First Estimates

Abstract:     
With the ongoing debate in Austria on skilled workers from Eastern Europe for the Austrian labour market the question of immigration policy again is in the centre of the public debate. As the extension of transitional periods for the new MS in the field of migration from 2009 to 2011 is more and more unlikely because of the internal balance of power in the enlarged Union's Council, it must be assumed that on May 1st 2009 the transitional periods will finally end for the Austrian labour market.

The author uses the latest data from the "Dublin Foundation" (EFILWC) on migration potential in Europe in conjunction with known migration destination preferences in the new MS for individual EU countries, including Austria, from earlier studies and comes to the conclusion that with an estimated 100,000 immigrants there is no reason for alarmism

Keywords: International Factor Movements and International Business, International Migration, Integration, particular Labor markets

JEL Classifications: F2, F22, F15, J4

Working Paper Series