Employers say that labor force from extra-EU countries are skilled and more productive, while qualified Romanian workers left to work abroad and mainly non-productive ones remained in the country.
However, the number of work permit applications for foreign workers dropped more than six times, according to data released by the Immigration Office (ORI).
Meanwhile, the number of jobless people in Romania is expected to reach 0.5 million this year, according to Government forecasts.
Amid the higher unemployment rate and uncertainties caused by the financial crisis, the Labor Ministry suggested that 10,000 work permits be released. Trade union members, however, ruled out the idea and said that vacant jobs should be occupied mainly by Romanians who are laid off due to the crisis.
