Britain should open its jobs market to workers from Bulgaria and Romania if their countries join the European Union next year, says Brendan Barber, Trades Union Congress general secretary.

Some business organisations, such as the CBI and British Chambers of Commerce, have recommended there should be a "pause" before allowing Bulgarians and Romanians unrestricted access to British jobs. The CBI says the country needs to take stock after larger than expected numbers of migrant workers flocked to Britain after the first wave of eastern European countries to join the EU in 2004.