Strengthening the labor market for newcomers

The government is working on further strengthening the labor market infrastructure (amendment to the SUWI Act). We are positive about this reform: it offers opportunities to resolve structural bottlenecks in the transition to work. This is certainly true for people who are currently underserved, such as newcomers.

Response to the internet consultation on the SUWI Act – opportunities for newcomers in an inclusive labor market.

Amendment to the SUWI Act

In order to strengthen the labor market infrastructure, it has been decided to amend the SUWI Act. The government aims to improve the connection between job seekers and employers and to enhance cooperation between labor regions. Job seekers must receive better guidance in finding and retaining work, and employers must gain a better understanding of potential employees. Regional employment centers (service desks) must play an important role in bringing the two parties together.

Job market opportunities for newcomers

We welcome the bill aimed at strengthening cooperation between labor market regions, as this legislation offers opportunities to resolve structural bottlenecks in the process of guiding people into work. Services in the labor market will be better aligned with the support needs of job seekers, which is a positive development.

We also advocate for more attention to be paid to newcomers. This is a group that is highly motivated to work, but whose labor potential often remains underutilized. In practice, they regularly appear to be overlooked by regular services. We see this as an opportunity to make the labor market more inclusive for newcomers and to shape the labor market infrastructure in such a way that this group is also optimally reached and supported.

Points of attention for newcomers

We have a number of recommendations regarding further clarification and the practical implementation of the law. Newcomers are eager to work, but often require slightly different guidance to make that transition sustainable.

Some of our key priorities for the labor market infrastructure for newcomers:

• Include newcomers as a separate target group.
• Employ newcomers as experts by experience or bridge builders at the service desk, so that the services become more accessible and better suited to the lives of newcomers.
• Ensure that newcomers are included in regional multi-year agendas so that labor regions can develop inclusive policies.
• Support candidates and employers: newcomers often need slightly different support.
• Use (existing) studies to see what works and what doesn't when supporting newcomers.

Investing in labor participation and future prospects

We welcome the amendment to the SUWI Act, as it offers opportunities to improve access to the labor market for newcomers. However, we do ask that specific attention be paid to newcomers as a separate target group, as this group is still too often overlooked.

There is a significant shortage in the labor market, and newcomers are highly motivated to work. A targeted strategy for this group is an important investment for the future. Structural attention to the group of newcomers means investing in labor participation, trust, and economic prospects for the future.