Overview

This bill approves the accession of Croatia to the European Union and a related protocol addressing Irish concerns regarding the Treaty of Lisbon. It also establishes a framework for Croatian nationals' rights to work in the UK.

Description

This bill achieves several key objectives:

• Approval of Treaties: It formally approves the treaty admitting Croatia to the European Union (signed December 9, 2011) and the Protocol addressing Irish concerns about the Treaty of Lisbon (adopted May 16, 2012). These approvals are deemed necessary to meet the requirements of the European Union Act 2011 and do not require a referendum.
• Updating Treaty List: The bill adds both treaties to the official list of EU treaties within the European Communities Act 1972.
• Croatian Workers' Rights: The bill grants the Secretary of State the power to create regulations governing Croatian nationals' right to enter and reside in the UK as workers. These regulations may include: requiring authorization to work, implementing fees for applications, establishing penalties for unauthorized work or employment, and outlining procedures for appeals. Penalties for offenses would be relatively limited, with the maximum fine at level 5 on the standard scale and imprisonment limited to a maximum of 51 weeks (or less depending on the specific offense and jurisdiction).
• Parliamentary Control: The first set of regulations under section 4 requires parliamentary approval. Subsequent regulations are subject to the annulment process.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. However, costs are likely associated with administering the new regulations regarding Croatian workers' rights, including processing applications and enforcing compliance.

Groups Affected

• Croatian Nationals: This bill directly affects Croatian citizens seeking to work in the UK, impacting their ability to enter, reside, and find employment.
• UK Employers: UK employers will be affected by the regulations governing the employment of Croatian nationals, including potential penalties for non-compliance.
• UK Government: The government will bear the administrative costs of implementing and enforcing the new regulations, including potentially employing additional staff.
• Irish People: The bill indirectly affects Irish people by incorporating the protocol addressing their concerns regarding the Treaty of Lisbon.

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