date: 18 December 2008

embargo: For immediate release

Banning Bulgarian and Romanian workers will lead to more bogus self-employment , says TUC

Responding to the Government's decision today (Thursday) to retain the current restrictions on employment rights for Bulgarian and Romanian migrants, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Keeping the barriers up is inconsistent with what Ministers have been saying about resisting protectionism. Banning Bulgarian and Romanian workers while allowing the self-employed in will simply lead to more bogus self-employment.

'The Government should concentrate on providing equal rights for all at work to prevent exploitation and undercutting, and meeting skill shortages through greater efforts on training.'

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Press release (200 words) issued 18 Dec 2008