The Dutch borders can be fully open to people from countries which joined the EU in 2004 from May 1, social affairs minister Piet Hein Donner told MPs on Friday. Donner said further delays would damage Dutch industry and the Netherlands’ reputation abroad.

All conditions for open borders demanded by MPs had now been met, Donner said. These included measures to stop employers breaking minimum wage rules and steps to ensure there was enough proper housing.
At the moment workers from Poland and other Eastern European countries must have a work permit to be legally employed in the Netherlands.
The final say on open borders rests with MPs. Efforts to fully open the borders in March were defeated in parliament.