Some Dutch Cities & Regional Municipalities Start Offering Employment for Refugee Status Holders

As part of an initiative aimed at promoting the integration of refugee status holders, three large cities and some regional municipalities in the Netherlands have launched a trial offering immediate paid jobs to foreigners settling in the communities after leaving the asylum reception centres.

The initiative was launched on January 29 in the presence of the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment and Deputy Prime Minister Van Gennip, local authorities, employers, and status holders.

During the launch, the authorities emphasised that the main objective is to accelerate the path to employment and thus give refugee status holders the possibility to support themselves, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The cities and regional municipalities that are adopting diverse strategies to create entry-level job opportunities for refugee status holders include Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam, along with regional municipalities of  Meijerstad, Vught, Boxtel, Nuenen, and the labour market region of Helmond de Peel.

Commenting on the initiative, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment and Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Van Gennip, said that apart from being able to support themselves, status holders will also integrate as well as contribute to society.

By working, status holders can build an independent existence, learn the language and contribute to society. It is essential that they are given and seize the opportunity to start work as quickly as possible.

As the Dutch authorities have explained, the status holders’ employment initiatives in these municipalities will be monitored and evaluated throughout the whole of 2024. Collected data will then be shared with other municipalities in order to encourage the expa similar initiatives across the country.

The immediate employment of refugee status holders upon settling in the Netherlands is expected to have a significant impact on the integration process.

By being able to join the workforce right away, foreigners can strengthen their position in the job market and ultimately secure employment in the country.

It would be a missed opportunity if we leave talent unused because we desperately need everyone in this labour market. Dare to look further! And let’s not stick to the label ‘status holder’. At a certain point, someone is simply Dutch, a colleague.

The Netherlands is one of the EU countries that receives a high number of asylum applications each year. Those who have their applications approved get issued a permit that allows them to reside and work in the country for a period, depending on the type of permit.

Just recently, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that EUAA will support the asylum process in the Netherlands starting February 1 of this year.

EUAA will provide around 20 staff members to the Netherlands. They will help with the processing of applications filed by Syrian asylum seekers mainly.