The German government decided on Wednesday to maintain until 2012 its working restrictions for under-qualified Romanians and Bulgarian workers, Novinite.com informs. However, Germany will open up its gates earlier, starting 2009 for East Europeans with university diplomas who wish to work in the country.

On the other hand, restrictions imposed for workers from Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia - the countries which joined the EU in 2004 - will be maintained until April 30, 2011.

German officials initially announced that once Romania and Bulgaria join the EU, Romanian and Bulgarian workers will face working restrictions until 2009.