Radio Netherlands: MPs want to limit Bulgarian and Romanian workers

A majority of Dutch MPs want to deny Bulgarians and Romanians access to the Netherlands' job market for a further three years.

Both government coalition parties Labour and the Christian Democrats are against Social Affairs Minister Piet Hein Donner's decision to open the Dutch borders to Bulgarians and Romanians from 1 July 2009.

The economic slowdown as a result of the global financial crisis as well as housing shortages in the Netherlands were the key reasons for uniting even the Socialists, the Conservative VVD and far-right Freedom Party PVV on this matter. While Romania and Bulgaria are EU member states since 2007, their citizens still need a work permit to take up legal employment in the Netherlands.

Published: Tuesday 25 November 2008 -Radio Netherlands website.