Emil Boc says that non-EU workers are becoming a problem in Cluj-Napoca / “I don’t want to be extremist. They are welcome, but with a basic test”

The mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Boc, says that Romania should bring back home its citizens who have left to work abroad and calls for clear national rules for foreigners who come to work in our country. He believes that workers “from non-EU countries” are becoming a “problem” for Cluj-Napoca.

The statements were made by former Prime Minister Emil Boc during an event dedicated to Cohesion Policy, organized by the European People's Party's Working Group on Budgets in the European legislature.

“Regarding workers, we need to have a serious discussion in Romania. I have more than 20,000 people in my city from non-EU countries, and this is becoming a problem. They have no idea about the (Romanian) language or culture, they understand nothing about our culture and our behavior, and they become a problem in the community.

To protect the future of our communities and prevent political discontent, we need to establish clear rules for people who come to our country to work. They are welcome, but with a basic test, basic (Romanian language, ed.) skills, basic integration, and compliance with the country's basic rules; otherwise, it will become a huge problem that will affect people's quality of life. We need to take this very seriously now, before it is too late.

I don't want to be extremist, but if you don't clearly say what is happening in society, we will lose at the local level. I am telling you what is happening from the grassroots, not from statistics. It is happening right now,” Emil Boc said during a debate on Cohesion Policy organized by the EPP's Working Group on Budgets in the European Parliament.