In order to secure the income of Dutch Trade and Industry, a healthy job market is essential. For that purpose, the Netherlands needs labour migrants.
Employers’ organizations VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland have stated this in a report which was written together with other organizations and Dutch businesses and sent to the government. A parliamentary debate on labour migration is scheduled for next Tuesday.
The employers’ organizations aim is to counter the recent negative reports on illegal work and bad housing for migrants.
“On balance, labour migration leans toward the positive and should not be determined by negative events. The solution is not to just close the borders. Problems should be faced head on”, according to the authors.
Economic Growth
With an ageing population and shortages in trained staff in sight, the Netherlands should try to remain an appealing country for labour migrants. “This will produce economic growth and it will be beneficial to the prosperity and well-being of the entire country.”
“It is important to an employer to be able to select the best candidate from an as large as possible selection”. Employers’ organizations point out that if the right people are able to be freely chosen for the right jobs, it will be beneficial for the productivity, innovation and the earning power of the Dutch trade and industry.
Business Assessment
“It is simply a cost-benefit assessment for an employer. It should be the same for policymakers.” Under the current policy, an employer would rather hire an employee from the Netherlands or another EU country.
The Netherlands should have a more open attitude towards foreign workers. Not just foreigners from within the EU but also from other countries. “For the simple reason that we need them.”
Access
The policy concerning access and employment should be based on the demand for workers in a specific field. The authors state that research shows again and again that the ousting of Dutch workers by foreign workers only occurs on a very limited scale.
In the opinion of employers’ organizations, especially skilled migrants should carry on having easy access to our job market. It is also of great importance to skilled workers from a lower segment, e.g. construction workers, agricultural workers and industrial workers.
Detrimental
Companies that operate on an international level point out that they experience problems when employees from foreign branches work on the same project in the Netherlands.
” The Netherlands demands that they too apply for a work permit, while there is no vacancy to fill. This is detrimental to international business.”
Source: Nu.nl