International

Right-wing liberal (VVD) Employment and Social Affairs Secretary Henk Van Hoof's plan to remove, from January 1st, any form of controls on the entry of workers from eastern Europe has suffered parliamentary defeat. During the debate preceding the vote, Jan de Wit, SP Member of Parliament and spokesman on employment issues, called on the Secretary of State to 'drop his hastily-conceived, ill-considered plans' which he described as 'too drastic and too far-reaching.' As the vote demonstrated, a large majority shared this view.

In the SP's opinion the Secretary of State has taken completely inadequate measures to prevent workers from eastern and central Europe becoming an underpaid workforce housed in pitiful conditions, while Dutch workers are shoved aside. If employers can bring labour from eastern Europe without any restriction or any kind of checks, there is no reason whatsoever for them to offer a future to inexperienced youths or to take on older people or people with disabilities.

Employers are unwilling to come to an agreement with trade unions in order to prevent unfair competition and displacement. Mr Van Hoof was obliged by Parliament's vote to promise to hold new talks with employers and workers in different sectors in order to discuss effective guarantees. In February, 2007, Parliament will, in the light of the results of these talks, renew discussion on whether to go ahead with further opening of borders and, if so, how best to proceed.