More work permits for EU migrants

Published on Thursday 18 December 2008 21:10

UP TO 5,000 more workers from Bulgaria and Romania are to be allowed into Britain each year to do seasonal farm work, but the Home Office has denied the EU citizens the same rights of access as workers from other countries.

Phil Woolas, the immigration minister, confirmed restrictions would continue on immigration from the EU's two newest member states, limiting them to fruit-picking and food-processing jobs.

But the numbers allowed in to do agricultural work would be raised from 16,250 to 21,250, he said, while those accepted for food-processing would stay at 3,500. The decision would protect British workers amid rising unemployment, he said.