Dutch companies have started large-scale employment of refugees: what is known

Mass employment of refugees is a new social policy of the Netherlands. Learn how more than 40 companies are changing the rules of the labor market

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A large-scale initiative to employ refugees has been launched in the Netherlands: more than 40 large companies, including Philips, IKEA, ABN AMRO, and others, have joined forces to provide jobs for thousands of people with a migration background. This was reported by nu.nl.

The Netherlands has long been considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe in the field of migrant integration. Currently, more than 290 thousand refugees live here:

- 118 thousand Ukrainians with temporary protection,

- 132 thousand people with refugee status,

- 40 thousand asylum seekers from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Eritrea.

Despite these figures, the employment rate remains low: only 12% of refugees have a job after two years, and 46% after six years. At the same time, among Ukrainians, this figure reaches 55%, thanks to the possibility of legal employment from the first day.

💡Not sure where to start looking for a job abroad?

Proper legal support is the key to safe and legal employment. Contact our international labor law specialists now and get advice that will bring you closer to the job you want.

Tent Nederland: a new coalition of companies to support refugees in the labor market

To change the situation, more than 40 companies have founded Tent Nederland, a national coalition that aims to massively employ refugees in the next few years.

This initiative is led by Helen van Melle, who notes:

"Refugees with status are very eager to work. They learn the language faster, make friends, become part of society and financially independent."

Tent Nederland is part of an international network founded by Hamdi Ulukaya, a Kurdish-American billionaire and philanthropist who has employed hundreds of refugees in his own companies.

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The main barriers to employment

Even in a country with 400,000 open positions, migrants often face numerous difficulties:

- Lack of social contacts and information about the labor market;

- Limited access to transportation;

- Unconfirmed diplomas and lack of quality resumes;

- Language barrier;

- Employers are not aware that they have the right to hire refugees.

Tent Nederland aims not only to overcome these barriers, but also to set a positive example for the whole of Europe. 

If you are planning to look for a job abroad or have already encountered difficulties, legal support is your safety, confidence and time-saving.

By contacting our lawyers on employment for Ukrainians abroad, you will receive:

• Individualized advice based on your country, status and profession;
  
• Verification of documents before submission;
  
• Advice on safe employment;
  
• Support in signing contracts.
  
  

Sign up for a consultation and take the first step towards stable work abroad without unnecessary risks.

We remind you! Applying for a work visa to the Netherlands may seem like a complicated process, especially if you are abroad. However, with the right approach and professional legal support, this path becomes much easier and clearer. We explained how to apply for a work visa without returning to Ukraine and what steps you need to go through to successfully find a job in the Netherlands based on a real-life case study that VU lawyers received.

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