| Abstract: |
This thesis examines the issue of migration within the European Union after its 2004 eastward enlargement. The analysis of the impact of Eastern enlargement on the labour markets of the old member states shows that the labour migration from the new member states is lower than expected. The original EU-15’s fears of a large inflow of cheap and unqualified labour from the east turned out to be unfounded. On the contrary, the results reveal that the internal EU migration will be of a temporary character only, and the old member states will have to cope with an inflow of students and qualified workers rather than unqualified labourers. The aim of the thesis is to present a brief analysis of the factors influencing migration within the EU, summarize the trends in migration after the Eastern enlargement and evaluate the expectations of the old member states regarding the migration inflows from the new member states. The thesis also contains an empirical analysis of migration flows following the 2004 enlargement for selected EU-15 members. To conclude, we assess the justification of the remaining transitory restraints on the free movement of labour and future migration trends within the EU. |
