Employment and income
Work is a key factor for integration. People gain experience in a new labor market and can become financially independent. (Voluntary) work also supports gaining social contacts and practicing language and communication skills.
Insights
Direct labor market access leads to higher labor market participation.
Direct access to the labor market leads to significantly higher participation in the labor market. We have seen this with people from Ukraine who are allowed to work from the first day they are in the Netherlands. As a result, people do not face waiting times in the asylum procedure, obligations of integration and obstacles such as the 24-week requirement.
For EU migrant workers, work is not a stepping stone to society.
For people who come to the Netherlands as EU labor migrants through an agency, the work often does not constitute a 'natural stepping stone' to society. It is common for broadcasters to set up an 'alternative system' in addition to the regular system. For example, broadcasters often arrange housing, health insurance and sometimes scheduling doctor's appointments.
The complete package that is offered can make it attractive to come and work in the Netherlands, but at the same time it also creates a strong dependency relationship with the sender. As a result, people do not have to use the "regular system" of organizations and services in the municipality. This also leaves the connection to society weak.
Design questions
How can you work from the shelter?
How do we ensure that people in care are seen as potential employees with talents and ambition?
How do you provide appropriate work?
How do we ensure that people new to the Netherlands have access to jobs that truly match their ambitions and talents?
How can we broaden direct access to the labor market, as organized for people from Ukraine, to other groups of newcomers?
How do you ensure access to the regular system?
How can we achieve access to the mainstream system, learning from the practices set up by broadcasters? The solutions devised by broadcasters show where access to the mainstream system is limited.
