Dutch Double Work Permits for New EU Citizens

The number of Dutch work permits for citizens from Eastern Europe has doubled, according to the latest statistics. May, June and July saw 11,000 work permits issued, compared to 5,000 in the same period last year, according to the Dutch Center for Pay and Employment. More than 8,500 of the permits were delivered to Polish workers, a spokeswoman told the AFP. Almost all of the 15 'old' member states have some sort of restrictions on workers from Central and Eastern Europe member states. These can be held in place, with conditions, for up to seven years. After this all restrictions have to be lifted and the bloc's traditional rules of freedom of movement for workers from all 25 member states will apply. (EUobserver.com)