More jobs open to Romanians

ROMANIANS and Bulgarians may now work in France as models, welders and fishermen.

Citizens of these “new” EU countries are restricted to certain jobs as part of the transition to full working rights in 2014 – and the number has risen from 150 to 291.

The aim is also to help immigrants from the countries integrate into France in the wake of controversy over the dismantling of camps of illegal immigrants.

The new list replaces one drawn up in 2008 and comes along with the removal of a tax that employers had to pay if they wanted to employ a Romanian or Bulgarian.

Apart from being able to do only authorised jobs, these immigrants also have to get a work permit from the prefecture.

The new list was drawn up with regard to supply and demand for different sectors, however it represents 72% of jobs available at job centres, the government says.

Among the miscellaneous positions it includes are: hairdressing, car bodywork repairs, removals, gardening and kitchen management.

Most sectors are included, including building (labourer, roofer...), hotel work (chef, waiter...), agriculture, industry, commerce, IT, banking and finance.

The two countries joined the EU in 2007 and other states were entitled to not allow full free work rights to their citizens for up to seven years.

The full jobs list is at: STORY: headline