Migration debate in Germany: Romanian, Bulgarian migrants good for Germany, study says

A study by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW) has shown migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania are no threat to the German state and the domestic economy. On the contrary, they're bound to help curb the skilled labor shortage.

Officials in Brussels have been critical of a German provision that limits access by EU nationals to its unemployment benefits. In an interview, EU Commissioner László Andor criticized "unscrupulous politicians" seeking to foment populism.

A survey commissioned by Deutsche Welle in February 2014 found the majority of German citizens would vote for limiting immigration. The survey followed a decision in Switzerland to limit its annual immigration from the EU.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Labor Market: Does Germany Benefit from Balkan Immigrants? / Migration debate in Germany http://www.europeansources.info/record/labor-market-does-germany-benefit-from-balkan-immigrants-migration-debate-in-germany/

ESO: Background information: A Harder Look at Welfare Rules as Europeans Flood Countries in Search of Jobs http://www.europeansources.info/record/a-harder-look-at-welfare-rules-as-europeans-flood-countries-in-search-of-jobs/

Spiegel Online International, 30.01.14: Benefits for EU Migrants: Brussels Warns Germany against Populism http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-commissioner-criticizes-tough-german-stance-on-immigrant-benefits-a-946373.html

Deutsche Welle, 13.02.14: DW exclusive: Germans would vote just like the Swiss on curbing immigration http://dw.de/p/1B85D

Deutsche Welle, 17.02.14: Study: Eastern Europeans underpaid in Germany http://dw.de/p/1B8qf

Deutsche Welle, 05.03.14: EU migration for brighter future http://dw.de/p/1BKrE

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