Sweden confirms work permits for EU newcomers

Workers from new European Union member states will need permits to work in Sweden, probably for at least two years after the bloc expands on May 1, a Swedish industry ministry official said.

"Two years is a likely period for the work permits," Pontus Ringborg, deputy head of the labour market department at the Industry Ministry, told Reuters.

Sweden had initially promised to open up its labour market to workers from the 10 new, mostly east European EU member states from May 1, but changed its mind along with most other existing EU countries, fearing new EU citizens may abuse it generous welfare system.

Sweden said in January it would protect its labour market from eastern European workers but gave no details on how it would do that or for how long.

Mr Ringborg's comments were the first confirmation that existing work permit rules would stay in place.

Only Britain and Ireland still plan to allow free movement of labour from May 1.

The Foreign Ministry said Sweden would use the transition period for an in-depth review of its welfare system, which experts say is already abused by Swedes themselves.

The government will present a detailed proposal for the transition period in a labour market bill on March 11.