Closing labour markets is absurd

The liberal Gazeta Wyborcza comments on the growing fear of foreign workers in other European countries, which has been aggravated by the financial crisis: "In times of crisis the argument that sealing off labour markets is absurd from an economic point of view doesn't have any impact with Western politicians and unionists. The trade unions in other EU countries are beginning to demand the closure of job markets for foreigners – including citizens from other EU states. Unemployment is rising across the EU. According to the figures of the EU Statistical Office almost 18 million people have no jobs. Although the anger of the trade unionists in the UK is directed against the Portuguese and the Italians who are to be employed in construction at the refinery in Lincolnshire, no one can guarantee that their banners won't bear anti-Polish slogans tomorrow. After all, there are around a million Poles living in the UK."

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