Most CAAs insist on a minimum number of hours on type for "outsiders", it's simple protectionism on their part, and we could debate all day whether they are right or wrong. It's not just for new pilots - a buddy who was very experienced and flying MDs in a North African country had to leave when the airline switched to Airbus (the airline wanted to keep him, bond him and train him on the A320) as the CAA insisted he had 500 hours on type!
Another small but very important point for those doing type ratings in the EU with no solid job in sight - for God's sake, get your timing right! The peak time for hiring is in the early first half of the year before the new summer season begins, if you think they're going to hire and line train you in the middle of the busy summer or over the winter when flying hours are well down, you'll likely be waiting til the start of the following season.