Norway was considering an open door policy for workers from Bulgaria and Romania, once the two countries became EU member states.

The country already benefited from the migration of East European workers, after the 2004 union enlargement, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Keeping the labour market open for workers from Bulgaria and Romania was in the best interest of Norway, secretary of state in the ministry of labour and social inclusion Jan-Erik Støstad said.

The Norwegian labour ministry was going to come up with measures guaranteeing the equal treatment and payment of workers from Bulgaria and Romania, said Støstad.

Norway is not EU member state but signed with Brussels an agreement concerning the free movement of people, the national radio reported. Its economy needed foreign workers to slow down wage increase, which is seen as one of the highest in the world.

At the same time Iceland announced it will limit the access of foreign workers to its labour market. Iceland acted in the same manner after the 2004 enlargement.

Restrictions will be valid for a period of two years, the national radio reported.