ROTTERDAM, 02/12/03 - The Rotterdam council executive yesterday presented its long-awaited plans to counter the formation of ghettos in the city. The intention is to restrict the inflow of the "disadvantaged", meaning immigrants.

At least for the next four years, the council executive wants to bar all asylum-seekers with a temporary residence permit from locating in Rotterdam, including neighboring municipalities. As well, others wanting to live in the city must earn at least 120 percent of the minimum wage, the Liveable Rotterdam, Christian democratic (CDA) and conservative (VVD) coalition partners propose.

Rotterdam also wants to evict tenants who systematically cause nuisance. As well, illegal immigrants must actually be expelled from the country instead of asking them to leave the Netherlands themselves. Houses where illegals are repeatedly found must be confiscated. In addition, staying illegally in the country must become a criminal offense, the plan states.

Rotterdam wants to attract more 'normal' families by taking criteria on incomes and working history into account in allocating homes. In addition, there will be a fiscal benefit for those who invest with housing corporations and the municipality in housing improvement in the problem areas. The housing corporations will also call on their tenants to become personal coaches for immigrants, to encourage social contact between residents.

Rotterdam is also urging more money for integration courses for 60,000 immigrants who have already been living in the Netherlands for years but still speak no Dutch, and for all new immigrants. In addition, a trial may be instituted on obliging youngsters aged up to 23 who have not completed previous training to get schooling. Finally, Rotterdam wants asylum-seekers only to receive a permanent residence permit if they are sufficiently integrated into Dutch society.

The question is whether all the plans will be realized. The central government would have to amend the Housing and Aliens Acts for part of them.