This paper summarises the key findings of a recent study on the impact of
Eastern Enlargement of the European Union (EU) on labour markets in the
current Member States. The study focuses on three main channels along which
enlargement may affect labour markets in the EU, namely i) trade, ii) foreign
direct investment, and iii) migration. A main conclusion of the study is that trade
and capital movements are very unlikely to lead to an equalisation of factor
prices. Thus, strong economic incentives to migration are bound to be present.
The study indicates that such an influx of migrants will have only a moderate
impact on wages and employment even in Austria and Germany. European
leaders will soon have to formulate a joint position regarding this fundamental
issue. The authors argue for keeping actual migration flows under control for a
transitional period.