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A new bill was suggested yesterday by the Karamanlis government, aiming at the enactment of the Bolkenstein directive. This act is seen as a first step towards the lifting of the limitations for EU citizens in their provision of professional services in Greece.

The integration of the directive in the Greek legislation by the end of 2009 indicates the beginning of the procedures that will remove all limitations, which were, until now, holding back EU citizens from starting and maintaining service businesses in Greece. Initially, all limitations in the list of professional occupations are expected to be noted; included are the professions of mechanics, architects, bakers, real-estate agents, kindergarten and private nursing home employees, butlers etc. The government is taking into account more than 25 categories of professions to be reconsidered in order to define the existing limitations and drawbacks for the EU workers.

The limitations in question include the provisional right for practicing the chosen profession, and the approval for foreign workers. The future direction of enactment by the Greek government however will aim at total removal of all limitations. Consumers rate the Bolkenstein incorporation as a “first step” for deregulating the market, which will boost competition, lower prices and open new employment opportunities. It’s worth quoting “Ta Nea” however, which argues that the topic of the so called “protected professions” won’t be easy for the government as it affects tens of thousands of local professionals, which are expected to react loudly to any changes in the current conditions.

Back in 2006, when the approval of euro-commissioner Frits Bolkenstein’s proposal was discussed in the EU, syndicate members in many European countries protested against its implementation. While members of the European Parliament supported a rather liberal approach in service provision in the EU, unions insisted for moderation and limited liberalization.

The Bolkenstein directive excludes many occupations, most of which are considered “protected” in Greece, meaning that a number of criteria must be met in order to practice them. Furthermore, a minimum wage is set for most of these occupations. Notaries, taxi drivers, lorry drivers and pharmacists are just some of the examples of the “protected professions”.

In the process of implementing the directive, different resolutions are expected to be issued in order to indicate the criteria that citizens – Greek and EU – must follow in order to be approved for practicing the profession and starting a business.

It’s also interesting that the Bolkenstein directive is humorously named after the person who suggested it – the ex euro-commissioner for the internal market – Frits Bolkenstein and Frankenstein – the monster from the literature.