The debate on the opening of borders to the nationals of new Member States of the European Union is sharp in the Netherlands. The government, which must decide before the end of March, is itself divided. (Ref. 06287)
Ben Bot, the Foreign Minister, favors prudence: he fears a surge of Polish, Romanian and Czech workers if the Hague decides to open its borders, whereas Belgium, Germany and France keep theirs closed. But Henk van Hoof, the Secretary of State for social Affairs and work, recommends an opening on May 1st, insofar as it must be done, sooner or later.
According to estimates ordered by the government at the engineering and design department Ecorys, the total surge in Western Europe would not exceed
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