WORKING AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS

Hannie Eilers

Eures Adviser

The Netherlands

• 41.526 Km2

• Inhabitants > 16 mil

• Average density of

population:

- 387 per km2

- 1000 per km2

in Randstad!

The PES&EURES/district

Centre for Work and Income

• Public Employment Services• Registration unemployed (passport/sofinr.)

- (E intake)• Welfare benefits (E forms)• Search for work and mediation• Knowledge of local labourmarket• Advise on reintegration processes• Active Eures partner

The Netherlands?

Political structure

• Constitutional monarchy

• Two chambers in Parliament

• Many political parties

• Elections every 4 year

• Three levels:– National – Provincial – Local

Social structure

• Residents • Employees

• Social benefits– Depending on domestic

situation

• General old age pensions• Widows/widowers/

orphans• Child benefits

• Health insurance • Sickness benefits• Unemployment

benefits• Disablements benefits

Employers federations

• Private organisations of employers

• Sector bound

• Partner in discussions with government and trade unions (social partners)

• Negotiators collective labour agreements (CAO)

Present situation

• Still growing economy

• Low rate of unemployment

• 342.000 unemployed (4.4 %)

• 10.9 % unemployed between 15-24 years old

The North

► Rural

► Tourism

► Education (Leeuwarden,

Groningen)

► Transport

► Retail

The East

► Rural

► Administration

► Tourism

► Education (Enschede)

► Transport

► Retail

► Care

The South

► Rural

► Industry in Brabant

► Administration

► Construction

► Tourism

► Education (Maastricht)

► Transport

► Retail

► Care

The West (Randstad)

► Highly industrialized

► Harbors, Airports

► Highest number of jobs

► Education (Amsterdam,

Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden,

Delft)

► Urban agglomeration

The near future

• Up to 2010 yearly growth of 2.25 %

• Decrease in jobs in:

• Agriculture

• Metal and industry (partly)

• Electronics

• Chemistry

The near future 2

• Young people choose blue collar• Shortage of craftsmen• Demographic developments • Need for: plumbers, welders, carpenters,

construction workers, gardeners, fitters, motor mechanics, commercial sales representatives, hotel and restaurant staff (cooks!)

Living and Working – Registration

• Obtain a sofi-number (BSN or fiscal number) at tax office. Check for addresses: www.belastingdienst.nl

• Suggestion: Visit (im)migration counter (GBA) of the Civil Affairs Department (Burgerzaken) at you local council.

• 6 months to find work in the Netherlands

E-forms

• E301 leaving Holland? Issued by UWV check with local office.

• Application for unemployment benefits? registration with E301 at CWI of your residence.

• E303 / E119 should be taken to CWI of your residence as soon as possible after arrival in the Netherlands.

How to find a job?

• Personal contacts• Newspapers• Public Employment Service / CWI

www.werk.nl• Internet (incl EU-site)• Speculative applications common and

successful• Temporary Work Agencies!

Temporary work agencies

• Widespread in Holland• Special Legislation• How to inscribe?

– CV– Sofi number/ BSN number– Bank account– For free

• More information: www.werk.nl

Contracts?

• Temporary labour contract

• Permanent labour contract

• Contract with an agency

• More information: www.werk.nl

Wages

• Legal minimum wage– Depending on age

• 15-22 years old: lower percentage

• 23 and up: fixed minimum wage

• CAO Collective Labour Agreement– For different sectors of industry

– Counts for all workers in the company

• Individual agreement

How to apply

► Letter of motivation accompanied by cv

► Telephone

► E-mail (be sure you always sent your application by post

as well)

► If invited for an interview check culture company

Housing

• For sale:• Prices depend on the

location– Randstad: very expensive– Less crowded: less

expensive

• Rented houses:• Availability depends on the

location– Randstad: very rare

– Less crowded: easier available

Usefull Websites

• http://www.werk.nl

(site PES Holland) Working in the Netherlands• http://www.belastingdienst.nl T x sa e• http://www.svb.nl So l S ur tScia ec i

• www.undutchables.nl• www.abroad-experience.com• www.expatica.com

Cultural differences

• Individual• Open minded• Informal• Hardworking• Humour• Direct• Tolerant

QUESTIONS?

C U in the Netherlands

Thank you for your attention!