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Netherlands opens borders to workers from Eastern Europe
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zane
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last modified
2007-05-11 06:44
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The Netherlands opened its borders to workers from Central and Eastern Europe on Tuesday meaning people from Poland and other new EU members can now work in the country without additional permits. Similar to other EU nations, the government in The Hague had so far limited the access of eastern Europeans to the Dutch job market. Until now, an employer had to acquire a permit to employ them. The number of permits increased starkly in recent years, reaching 57,000 in 2006.
Many
foreigners are now self-employed as that status does not require a permit,
according to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Last year, 3,350 Poles started their
own businesses in the Netherlands - an increase of 30 per cent over
2005.
Poles thus comprise the largest group of foreign entrepreneurs in the country and around 70 per cent have started companies in the building sector.
Trade unionists have criticized the feigned self-employed status, saying it would not decrease as it continues to facilitate cheaper wages. Improved monitoring of working conditions which required a permit was also necessary.
More government inspections aim to ensure that workers from Central and eastern Europe do not work under the current minimum wage of around eight euros (11 dollars) per hour and that they are properly placed. dpa ts pb ds
Further information:
http://www.jurnalo.com/jurnalo/storyPage.do?story_id=32643
Poles thus comprise the largest group of foreign entrepreneurs in the country and around 70 per cent have started companies in the building sector.
Trade unionists have criticized the feigned self-employed status, saying it would not decrease as it continues to facilitate cheaper wages. Improved monitoring of working conditions which required a permit was also necessary.
More government inspections aim to ensure that workers from Central and eastern Europe do not work under the current minimum wage of around eight euros (11 dollars) per hour and that they are properly placed. dpa ts pb ds
Further information:
http://www.jurnalo.com/jurnalo/storyPage.do?story_id=32643
