Social affairs minister Henk Kamp is standing firm on his commitment to stop allowing Romanian and Bulgarian nationals to work as temporary fruit pickers, despite protests from farmers and MPs.

Kamp says market gardeners in the south of the country should take on local unemployed people as seasonal workers instead. ‘Companies have to make sure it is attractive for workers to do their jobs,’ the minister is quoted as saying.
MPs are to debate the issue with Kamp on Thursday, the same day that farming organisations will go to court in an effort to force the minister to change his mind.
They argue the minister should not change the rules mid season.

Earlier stories
Minister stands firm on Romanian, Bulgarian work permits