Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

forms and the delay in the country’s accession to the
Schengen area was the only new development on the issue;
it obviously had a negative impact, as the vast majority of
Bulgarians have become increasingly discouraged and disillusioned
by the topic.
Similarly, the topic of work permits and restrictions
also had a negative effect on the perception of the union, as
Bulgarians continue to face work restrictions within the
EU. While the European Parliament called for the abolition
of all work restrictions by the end of 2013, several member
states such as France, Germany, and the UK announced that
their labour restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian workers
would remain in place until further notice. While a few
agreements were finalized, allowing certain professionals
to practice within the EU and vice versa, the general attitude
towards the issue of work permits was negative. Bulgaria’s
experience of receiving mixed treatment from other
member states regarding the issue of work restrictions has
left Bulgarians with the attitude that they are not being
treated equally within the union. Receiving mixed treatment
by member states on the issue of work restrictions
was an off-putting experience, and it fostered a shared attitude
that Bulgaria is not being treated equally within the
EU.
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