Is Madrid turning its back on Romanian immigrants?

It's yet another blow to the supposed right to free movement within the European Union. Spain has been allowed by the EU to restrict its job market to Romanian workers. Madrid says it has to do this as it struggles with the highest unemployment in the EU. The number of Romanians in Spain has quadrupled in the last five years to more than 800,000, but now many of them feel ostracized and unfairly singled out.

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22/05/2013 - ISRAEL

Israeli government cracks down on civilians' illegal firearms

In a country where weapons abound, gun owners may sometimes lose track of a gun or a rifle, tucked away at the back of a disused cupboard. Now, after several deadly incidents involving firearms, Israel's Ministry of Public Security and police are collaborating to rein in some of the country's illegally-held weaponry, including guns, assault rifles and cartridges, for which permits have expired. Officials are poring over their files in an attempt to locate the firearms and their current owners.

21/05/2013 - FRANCE

French Defence Minister goes shopping for drones

France is once again in the market for some unmanned drones, the remotely controlled aircraft favoured by countries such as the US, whose military uses them extensively to monitor difficult enemy terrain in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The current French fleet of drones was purchased 20 years ago and Paris wants to update it. But Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has come in for criticism after approaching US and Israeli manufacturers instead of encouraging French brands to start making them.

21/05/2013 - SPAIN

Spanish transport system running on empty

The Spanish government is set to close dozens of state-run rail routes and cut services on hundreds of other lines as Madrid struggles to right the country's recession-hit economy. The cuts will allow savings of over €85 million but will affect over 1.65 million passengers. Critics accuse the government of building first and thinking later during the boom years.

20/05/2013 - SYRIA

The battle for Qusair

In recent days Syrian government forces and rebel fighters have struggled for control of the town of Qusair, located 10 kilometres from the Lebanese border on a vital supply route. Fighters from the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah have reportedly lent support to the Syrian army, while Sunni gunmen allegedly crossed the border to reinforce the rebels.

20/05/2013 - CHINA

Seven Days in Tibet

Tibet has been off-limits to journalists since the Chinese government brutally suppressed riots in the region five years ago. France 24's regional correspondent Cyril Payen managed to get a seven-day visa to enter the region. What he saw lends weight to the complaints of the Dalai Lama and human rights organisations, who say Tibetan culture is being erased.

React to the article

(2) Reactions

JOB

by Anonyme - 05/10/2011 - 10:54

If Romanian workers went out from Spain that could be the big blow for the Spain employers beacose they will pay more manny for their own (spain) workers. This could not reduce unemployment...