THE HAGUE, 01/04/06 - The cabinet decided Friday to open the Dutch borders from 1 January 2007 for workers from the countries that joined the EU in 2004. A relaxation of the present regime is to precede this from 1 May 2006.

Social Affairs State Secretary Van Hoof initially wanted to fully open the borders from 1 May 2006. By lifting the work permit requirement only from January, he will have more time to prepare additional policy aimed at preventing evasion of pay accords (CAOs) and unfair competition.

Workers from the new EU countries can currently only get a job in the Netherlands with a permit from the Centre for Work and Income (CWI). The CWI issues this only if no suitable staff for certain work can be found domestically or in the rest of the 'old' EU. This requirement, the cabinet decided Friday, will disappear from 1 May. This should reduce the application procedure for companies to two weeks from ten weeks at present.

Christian democrat (CDA) MP Van Hijum said Friday that his party will "not give the green light just like that". He considers the relaxation of the regime from 1 May is premature for certain sectors. In addition, he wants the Lower House to consider opening the Dutch labour market step-by-step from 1 January. This is the variant that Belgium wants, said the MP.

Labour (PvdA) is also not yet convinced. "We find it too early to name a date. First, everything must be arranged properly" in the area of labour conditions being adhered to, said MP Bussemaker. "I am very doubtful as to whether that will succeed". CDA and PvdA form a Lower House majority.

The cabinet also decided Friday on a measure aimed at preventing 'benefit tourism' by inhabitants of other EU countries. It will explicitly be laid down in legislation that people must live in the Netherlands to be eligible for welfare. Citizens from other EU countries, who will be allowed to stay in the Netherlands for three months from 1 May, will thus not be able to claim benefits there.

The cabinet also decided to admit more 'knowledge migrants' into the Netherlands. Insiders had already announced Thursday that the government would remove obstacles to their admission. But it remained unclear Friday what concrete action the cabinet will take. It will send more information to the Lower House on this shortly.