Holland won't open labor market for Romanians, Bulgarians

Dutch deputies decided on Wednesday that the Romanian and Bulgarian workers will not gain free access to the labor market, not even after 2009. The Dutch political class currently has to solve all the problems caused by the wave of 120,000 Polish immigrants that came to Holland after 2004. Authorities expected at the time only some 15,000 Polish workers.

Several politicians ask for the labor market restrictions for Romanians and Bulgarians to be maintained until 2012. Until they gain free access, Romanians and Bulgarians need a special work permit, in which the employer failed to find qualified personnel on the Dutch market.

The deputies’ decision comes in spite of the severe crisis Holland faces, lacking labor force in several important areas.