What I don't understand is why is this a topic in virtually the last minute? Couldn't the minister (and whomever needs to be involved) debate this in due time? It's not like 1 July, and the harvest season, will arrive unexpectedly...

Also, not giving permits will probably not solve the issue, but will only force it to go uncontrolled. Who benefits from that?

By Robert | April 20, 2011 3:06 PM

Does the ministed honestly believe that by not giving visas to people who want to work will encourage people who DONT want to work to do so??
The question is would people comfortably living with 1000 EUR socail benefits a month will bother to pick up strawberries for additional 200???

By Marty | April 20, 2011 4:10 PM

Can Mr. Kamp explain how by refusing work permits to Bulgarians and Romanians, he will motivate the lazy Dutch unemployed citizens to start working? This is insane! Instead of reforming the unemployment policies, he is making an easy, convenient decision.

By A. K. | April 20, 2011 5:18 PM

Okay, there are two ways around this
1. let Henk Kamp pick strawberries for a day and if he still thinks Dutch people will do this… (unrealistic, I know)
2. Let Henk, try to force Dutch people to work picking fruit, see how far he gets, or how long they last, then tell him he has to pay compensation to the growers.
I know, this is all just an overactive imagination, nothing will happen

By radio junkie | April 20, 2011 5:32 PM

so now it will be 100 % done by illegals who pay no tax. Congrats NL it seems very smart.

By wefweilfjiwer | April 20, 2011 5:42 PM

Correct thing to do when so many Dutch and central Europeans are looking for work, take the lead on this Netherlands.

By Andy | April 20, 2011 6:07 PM

Transitional rules for Romanians and Bulgarians are to expire 1 January next year. There is an option for extending them to 2014, in the case of serious disruption in some states labour markets, however I think it would be quite a bending of the rules to say that has happened.

So, what is the point of this?

By Mattias | April 21, 2011 7:23 AM

@Mattias: which rules? There are no rules. All they have to do is notify the European Commission that they fear disruptions and that's it. The Commision doesn't have to approve anything.

The accession treaty says: "A Member State maintaining national measures or measures resulting from bilateral agreements at the end of the five year period indicated in paragraph 2 may, in case of serious disturbances of its labour market or threat thereof and after notifying the Commission, continue to apply these measures until the end of the seven year period following the date of accession."

So it could have just said 7 years.

By Cip | April 21, 2011 9:35 AM

Most of the current problems in the Netherlands are result of the inadequate social system. It is easy to blame immigrants but very hard to start reforms.

By Rrrr | April 21, 2011 12:10 PM

Hi is jest another boring politician who make his decisions by looking out of the window , hi won't last for long !Every body in the parliament and the country getting fed up with him !Usual looking for who is guilty (witch hunting) going on !We have problem with unemployment who is guilty ? Off course Romanians and Bulgarian who else !They jest can not except their own failure !

By Dimitri | April 21, 2011 7:58 PM

Likewise I would suggest cut their benefits 100% if they are not willing to take a job opening, but up their income to the same benefits as prior if the pay is lower.
Problem solved!!!

By Teddy: | April 27, 2011 10:19 PM

Does the minister honestly believe that by not giving visas to people who want to work will encourage people who DONT want to work to do so??
The question is would people comfortably living with 1000 EUR social benefits a month will bother to pick up strawberries for additional 200???
By Marty | April 20, 2011 4:10 PM
Likewise I would suggest cut their benefits 100% if they are not willing to take a job opening, but up their income to the same benefits as prior if the pay is lower.
Problem solved!!!

By Teddy: | April 27, 2011 10:20 PM

there is one missing thing in this-the rules apply to all romanians and bulgarians and, with all due respect for field workers,there are other people from Romania and Bulgaria,higly qualified,who want to work in Nl and cannot.most of applications are not even considered if you state your nationality because of the difficult work permit process.Is that fair?
If people want to work,they are good at it and they come from countries which are in the EU why would u do that?This is just a way of saying they are afraid of something else-see Italy and France issue-not that they are trying to keep things for Dutch people.hence this goes beyond european rules,more into the discrimination and human rights problematic

By alexandra | April 29, 2011 1:55 PM

Alexandra,
I could not have said it better.

By AnotherExpat | April 29, 2011 3:22 PM

@Alexandra, of course, we are not stupid. the Romania and Bulgaria are just marketplaces. and i think there is a plot against Romania & I also think that the authorities from Bucharest should do their best unless they are just puppets (like I believe). And speaking of discrimination, why can Jews work all around the world? Is that fair? Isn't this racism & discrimination? How can Estonia have their people work around EU and Romania can't? Is there some Catholic vs Orthodox Christian debate?

By alexander the great | May 20, 2011 7:43 AM

I think it's a Buddhism debate and europeans should start learning chinese

By kamikadze | June 9, 2011 7:31 PM

Romania belongs to EU since some years, it's ridiculous maintaining these restrictions, so what is the advantage of belonging to EU? to be explored?
At least the restriction of the work permit should be finished at the end of 2011, but from the way if goes, another 2 years will be added. which will be again ridiculous and unfair.

By MP | June 21, 2011 3:24 PM