THE HAGUE, 11/04/07 - It is not yet clear whether the Lower House will pass the full opening-up of the Dutch borders for employees from the countries that joined the EU in 2004. Only the Socialist Party (SP) and Party for Freedom (PVV) are definitely against this.

The borders can be completely opened up from 1 May, Social Affairs Minister Piet Hein Donner said in a letter to parliament last Friday. Further delay would damage the Dutch economy and affect relations with the countries involved negatively, according to the Christian democratic (CDA) minister.

The previous cabinet wanted to open up the borders from last January, but the Lower House blocked this. Former Social Affairs State Secretary Henk van Hoof subsequently decided to do so from 1 March. But the house could not make a decision on this due to the installation of the new government, which is now urging 1 May as the new date.

The House will seek to reach a decision this month in a debate. SP and PVV will vote against open borders. CDA and Labour (PvdA) do not want to disclose their position yet. It is unclear when the debate will be held.

Apart from the PVV, the objections of the various parties are not of a socio-cultural and not even of an economic nature; CDA, PvdA and SP are primarily worried about the question of whether exploitation of Central and East European employees can be avoided. They fear bad housing, unsafe labour conditions and payment below the minimum wage.

Currently, Central and East European employees can work in the Netherlands if they have a work permit from the Centre for Work and income (CWI). In 21 sectors, a relaxed regime already applies; there, companies no longer have to demonstrate a staff shortage in the 'old' EU.