Netherlands will open market to newcomers

The EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Vladimir Spidla has welcomed Holland's decision to open its labour market to the EU newcomers admitted in 2004. Mr. Spidla said he was sure the move would benefit the Dutch economy. The Dutch authorities said workers from the newcomer states would find job opportunities mainly in construction and agriculture. Czechs interested in seeking work in other EU states can do so freely in Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Italy and shortly also in Holland. Movement of labor restrictions remain in Germany, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium and Denmark. The German magazine Der Spiegel says in its latest edition that Germany might maintain restrictions on the influx of foreign workers from the EU newcomer states until 2011, the farthest possible deadline.