ZAGREB, March 6, 2018 - The Austrian government plans to ask the European Commission to prolong until 2020 the transitional period during which Croatian citizens do not have a fully open access to the Austrian labour market, Austrian media reported on Monday.
Austria stated as one of the reason for its request a high unemployment rate among Croatian nationals living in Austria.
The Austrian government went on to say that even now, when restrictions are in place for workers from Croatia, Austrian employers can hire Croatian workers in over 60 professions where there is a shortage of employees.
Austrian Economy Minister Margarete Schramboeck, however, is against the extension of restrictions.
EU members states have the right to restrict access to citizens of new member states for a period of up to five years. After that, restrictions are possible only if full opening of the border could negatively affect the domestic labour market. Should Brussels grant Austria's request, restrictions for Croatia's workers in Austria's labour market would last until 1 July 2020.
