The Expanded European Union

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that no one knows for sure what kind of impact the enlargement of the EU will have on labor movement; some believe that large numbers of individuals will be heading west to look for jobs, but others say that history has shown that war devastation is the primary reason why people leave their homeland. The author points out that part of the concern about workers stems from the differences in economies between the two areas of Europe; lower paid or unemployed workers from the ten new members will follow the money trail to the existing 15 EU countries. The paper relates that, under the terms of accession, existing EU countries have the right to block free movement of labor from the new joiners for up to seven years.

From the Paper:

"Time Europe magazine reports sarcastically on the effect such headlines have on those who have already migrated: "That image must come as cold, ironic comfort to 54 Greeks who did not exactly find Britain an employment paradise". Although they had already been entitled to work with full legal protection anyplace in the E.U., these Greek workers were hired as temps to pick flowers in Southwest England. In rain and snow they labored for nine hours a day and lived in a tent without any heat or plumbing, which local officials declared "totally unfit for human habitation". In addition, the hiring employers had told the men that they would not be paid until they came up with E1500 for transportation and lodging. After two weeks, the Greek migrants were saved by their embassy."

More papers on The Expanded European Union:

• Research Paper # 55187 : "European Union Expansion"
• Comparison Essay # 111614 : "The European Union"
• Term Paper # 110501 : "Turkey in the European Union"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: