Government inspectors have found problems at more than half the trucking companies inspected so far this year, the transport ministry said at the weekend.

Of the 47 companies visted, 60% involved permit irregularities or other issues, the inspectors said in a statement.

Three companies were checked this weekend and one, based in Roosendaal, was closed down immediately because it did not have an operating permit.

At a second, inspectors found Polish and Lithuanian drivers living at a compound without toilet facilities. Officials are also now trying to establish if the drivers were paid the official minimum wage.

There were no apparent problems at the third company.

More checks on transport firms will be made before the end of the year, the inspectors said.

Last week, Dutch and Belgian trade unions FNV and BTB accused Venlo trucking company Martin Wismans of forcing drivers to to commit fraud in their logbooks and to work longer hours than they should by law.