Belgium plans partial relaxation of its labour rules for the new members of the European Union (EU).

Belgium joined the group of old EU member states easing labour access rules for eastern European migrants, allowing Belgian regions to send in wish-lists for new workers in specific sectors, EUObserver reported.

The privileged work permits will be issued to applicants within just five days and will not be based on economic or social analyses of the employment sectors concerned.

The Belgian government said that the move will help fill high-skilled labour shortages, but the worst unemployment in Belgium is found in the low-skilled sectors. Language problems could also prevent eastern Europeans plugging gaps in other Belgian sectors facing shortages, such as Flemish-language teaching for Francophone communities.

Under the 2004 accession treaties, old member states can uphold "transitional arrangements" on blocking new workers up to 2011 with periodic reviews in May this year and in 2009.

The UK, Ireland and Sweden opened their doors fully in 2004. Finland, Portugal and Spain are expected to open up this year. France plans partial relaxation of rules from May onward and the Netherlands is discussing similar measures to start at the end of this year.

Denmark plans to open up gradually over the next three years. Greece and Luxembourg have yet to show their hand, but Germany, Austria and Italy have signalled they will stay closed for now.

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