Dutch government to liberalise postal market from Jan 1, 2009

Dutch Economic Affairs State Secretary Frank Heemskerk promised the Dutch coalition government parties on Tuesday that he will work towards liberalising the Dutch postal market from January 1, 2009, Dutch media reported.

In May, the Dutch government decided against opening up the postal market to competition on July 1, 2008, stressing there are too many uncertainties to allow for full liberalisation.

But Heemskerk was confronted with a parliamentary motion backed by the coalition parties Christian Democrat CDA, Labour PvdA and the Christian Union on Tuesday in which January 1, 2009, was suggested as a new targeted date for liberalisation, Dutch media reported.

Heemskerk said he will maximise efforts to meet the targeted date, but added that liberalisation will still be subject to two conditions, namely a level playing field in Europe and good workplace conditions for postal deliverers, the reports added.