The Netherlands must remain welcoming to migrant workers: employers

People from central and eastern Europe filled almost 5% of Dutch jobs in 2016, according to new research carried out for the employment agency umbrella organisation ABU. ‘This is due both to economic growth and the fact that the working population will shrink from 2021.’ In addition, migrant workers mainly do simple and routine jobs, which can’t be filled by Dutch workers, he said. ‘Dutch workers simply don’t want to do such work given the pay and the flexibility which it demands.’ Nevertheless, efforts will need to be made to make sure the Netherlands remains attractive for seasonal and temporary workers, Koops said. Several local councils across the Netherlands are bringing in local laws to restrict the number of Eastern Europeans living in certain residential areas, saying they want to keep residential areas ‘liveable’ by limiting the number of foreign workers. ‘Work together with staffing and housing agencies to eradicate the shortage of quality accommodation.This is the only way our regions will remain a draw to both companies and foreign workers.’ Polish community Research into the Netherlands’ Polish community by the government’s socio-cultural think-tank SCP earlier this year found three quarters expect to live in the Netherlands for at least the next five years.