EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Exploratory policy memorandum on labour migration in the Netherlands

Exploratory policy memorandum on labour migration in the Netherlands

Introduction

In April 2005, the government decided to draw up an exploratory policy memorandum on post-war labour migration in the Netherlands. The memorandum consists of three chapters; an historical summary, a socio-economic analysis and lessons for future.

Description

Until 1973, post-war labour immigration was dominated by the recruitment of foreign workers. Between 1973 and 1995, the share of foreign workers decreases, while asylum and family forming migration increases. The period since 1979 is characterised by a more restrictive migration policy. The ‘knowledge migrant’ scheme, under which more highly skilled migrants are recruited, was launched in October 2004.

The socio-economic contribution of the first generation of non-Western immigrants is generally limited. This is due to the structurally higher level of and swings in unemployment in this group. They are also more dependent on collective facilities. At a cultural level it has become apparent that the integration of non-Western immigrants progressed painstakingly slowly. The migrant workers of the last fifteen years have different characteristics than those of the foreign workers of the sixties and seventies. This group of migrants has a better labour market position and contributes positively to government finances.

Lessons for the future

The arrival of foreign workers between 1960 and 1973 resulted in substantial socio-economic and socio-cultural problems. This highlights the fact that policy on labour migration, including the resultant family forming migration cannot be separated from integration policy.
Immigration policy to combat short term scarcity can be useful, but the benefits to Dutch society as a whole have been limited. This can be avoided by linking immigration to (mandatory) citizenship/integration, which also provides those involved with better long term opportunities on the labour market.
The group of labour migrants that entered the Netherlands in the sixties and seventies is no longer representative of the labour migrants who have come the Netherlands to work during the last fifteen years. Today's labour migrant is usually Western, resides temporarily and gives rise to little family forming migration.
For years there has been little focus on recruiting knowledge migrants. The first step towards this has been taken with the launching of the knowledge migrant scheme in 2004. The immigration of highly skilled persons with supplementary knowledge represents a substantial contribution to the innovation and growth potential of the Netherlands. The Netherlands should therefore be alert and recruit labour that can contribute to the Dutch economy.

Contact info

Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
pavem@minszw.nl

Publication date

05/04/2006

Article info
Author: Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment

Links

Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (in Dutch)

Exploratory policy memorandum on labour migration in the Netherlands (PDF, Dutch, 77.5KB)

Document type

policy

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Employment