According to the EC press office, the nine EU states justified their decision to prolong the ban.
According to the source, the eleven EU states that had their labor markets closed for Romanians and Bulgarians at the end of 2011 are: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, France, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria and the UK.
Of them, nine decided to keep work restrictions and notified the EC in time, namely by December 31, 2011: the UK (November 24), Ireland (December 15), Germany (December 21), Belgium (December 22), France (December 23), Luxemburg (December 22), Malta (December 22), the Netherlands (December 23), and Austria (December 22). They do not need the EC approval to prolong the ban, said the Commission.
Italy and the Czech Republic informed the Commission they will fully apply the EU legislation regarding the free movement of workforce starting January 1, 2012, said the EC.
The Commission reiterated that all EU labor market restrictions must be lifted by December 31, 2013 at the latest.