When east meets west.

This article discusses labor migration restrictions in the European Union (EU) that were imposed after ten countries, mostly in central Europe, were admitted into the EU in May of 2004. There were fears that there would be a flood of migrants who would steal jobs or sign up for welfare benefits. Under pressure, 12 of the 15 existing EU members imposed restrictions on labour from the east. Britain and Ireland stood alone in opening their markets to all, though even they adopted rules to stop benefit-seekers, and Britain created a registration scheme. Sweden also kept its labour market open, after its parliament rejected restrictions.