The war in Ukraine has been a fact for over a year. Ukrainians fleeing to the Netherlands are allowed to work here immediately. How is this group doing in our labor market? What can we do to improve their position? At the end of June, colleague Sandrine Lafay was a guest at BNR Nieuwsradio to record a Podcast to talk about this.
Sandrine Lafay in conversation with BNR Nieuwsradio
Ukrainians in the Dutch labor market are allowed to work immediately because of the European Directive on Temporary Protection. They do not have to apply for asylum or go through integration. What can we learn from this if people are allowed to work immediately? What insights can we gain from this for newcomers from other countries?
Podcast with our colleague Sandrine Lafay, team leader Individual Support. And Annemiek Dresen and Tetiana Uhnivenko of NewBees NL, in conversation with BNR presenter Rens de Jong.
Advantages direct access Dutch labor market
The advantage for Ukrainians who have direct access to the Dutch labor market is that you can map out your own path right from the start. In addition, having or not having a job has a lot of impact on other livelihoods, such as finding housing and the financial freedom to make your own choices. But there can also be obstacles, such as:
- Difference in communication style
- Mental problems
- Language
- Diploma rating
Project Direct Participation
OpenEmbassy develops data-driven solutions to integration issues. In the project Direct Meedoen together with NewBees, Open Embassy supports 75 Ukrainian households in finding work and all other questions involved in building your life in NL. This way we can help people directly and at the same time it is a source of knowledge to see what does and does not work in the system. This also provides great data for employers.
"For us, this is an interesting case study. What can we learn from it if people do get to work directly? And immediately have that freedom and autonomy. And how can we also use those insights for newcomers from other countries?"
Results and insights
A surprising discovery, for example, was that the group of Ukrainians in the labor market does not have the need for the standard programs aimed at sustainable employment and matching talents, experience and ambitions. Because, for now, they assume that they will stay here for only a short time.
In addition, the project gave insight into the difference between Dutch and Ukrainian work culture. And it became very clear that work is not isolated from many other areas of life, such as: child care, housing and mental health. It is also necessary that employers organize the workplace more inclusively, so that diverse talent can work for you, also for the long term.
Podcast Ukrainians in the NL labor market
Listen to the podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or BNR App.
Participate Directly
More about the Direct Meedoen project in the Netherlands
Platform Newcomers and Employment
A project of the Goldschmeding Foundation together with OpenEmbassy and Regioplan
