Living and Working in the Netherlands Frans Buter

Living and Working in the Netherlands Frans Buter, Nicosia, November 2013 EURopean Employment Services

THIS PRESENTATION EURES in the Netherlands How to cope with “The Dutch” Something about The country, The Dutch labour market Looking for jobs Wages, social security, tax etc. What do we need? EURES in the Netherlands PAG 2

Position of EURES is part of UWV WERKbedrijf, the Public Employment Service Just like in Cyprus EURES is part of the employment service in the Netherlands All Public Employment Services in EU, EEC and Switzerland work together in EURES in the Netherlands PAG 3

How to cope with: ‘The Dutch’ EURES in the Netherlands PAG 4

‘The Dutch’ Rudeness or “being open and direct”? Dutch always seem to “know better” Very individual, except … EURES in the Netherlands PAG 5

‘The Dutchman’ Every hour is planned, work as well as free time Being in time is very important Agreed is agreed Work and home are different worlds “Poldermodel” Meetings EURES in the Netherlands PAG 6

‘The Dutchman’ Hate hierarchy Food habits Traffic Open curtains Birthday EURES in the Netherlands PAG 7

Some figures about THE NETHERLANDS 41. 526 Km² 26% below sea level Lowest point: - 6. 76 m Highest: + 322, 7 m Population density: 485 km² Cyprus: 125 per km² Randstad 1000 per km² Roman Catholic: 27% Protestant: 16, 6% Not religious: 48, 4% EURES in the Netherlands PAG 8

LABOUR MARKET Some figures about: unemployment jobs vacancies EURES in the Netherlands PAG 9

The current situation 8. 7 % unemployment ( 7 -2013); (694. 000 people). Youth: 15% Old news: 2007: 1 vacancy for each person fired within the last 6 months. 2013: 1 vacancy for 10 persons

UNEMPLOYMENT 2003 -2013 EURES in the Netherlands PAG 11

VACANCY-SURVEY 2011 Temporary work sometimes with a view on a permanent job is most current procedure Reason is the strong position of workers with a permanent contract Elementary educated more often unemployed Number of medium skilled and educated unemployed higher than before the economical crisis Highly educated have more chances EURES in the Netherlands PAG 12

HOW TO FIND A JOB? Public Employment Service / UWV WERKbedrijf > www. werk. nl Temporary Work Agencies Personal contacts Newspapers > Volkskrant/ Telegraaf Internet Speculative applications common and successful KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH IS IMPORTANT! START LEARNING DUTCH EURES in the Netherlands PAG 13

Surplus on Job seekers in general Semi- and low educated or skilled Laboratory workers Tailors Fork lift drivers General workers Graphic workers EURES in the Netherlands High and semi educated Laboratory workers Secretaries/ administrative workers Stewardesses Heads of technical departments Heads of hospitality companies Sports instructors Graphic designers Librarians Culture and arts PAG 14

WHAT DO WE NEED (1): Electric and electronic fitters Mechanical engineers Agriculture (engineers as well as seasonal labourers) Catering managers ICT Marine officers and engineers EURES in the Netherlands PAG 15

WHAT DO WE NEED (2): On the long term: Teachers (language teachers, mathematics, all teaching jobs Major shortages are expected due to aging of the working population and far to little teaching students. Health care (nurses) However less opportunities for Commercial employees Social and cultural field / science Lower and medium administrative employees/ receptionists Elementary skilled technical staff with basic skills only EURES in the Netherlands PAG 16

TEMPORARY WORK AGENCIES “Uitzendbureau” (temp agency) Widespread in the Netherlands Often first step to a new permanent job How to register? CV Sofi (social fiscal) number Bank account Job seekers don’t pay, employers do EURES in the Netherlands PAG 17

CONTRACTS 1 Permanent labour contract Trial period 2 months Temporary labour contract Trial period depending on the length of the contract but usually 1 month Contract with an agency More information at www. werk. nl Living and Working in the Netherlands EURES in the Netherlands PAG 18

CONTRACTS 2 CAO Collective Labour Agreement For different sectors of industry Applicable to all workers in the sector or company Temporary work agencies follow this agreement Individual agreement EURES in the Netherlands PAG 19

HOLIDAYS 4 x number of work days a week 2 weeks in a row, rest upon agreement Only 6 bank holidays 8% of the annual salary extra, paid in May EURES in the Netherlands PAG 20

WAGES Legal minimum wage, depending on age 23 and older fixed minimum wage Monthly € 1. 485, 65 per 1/1 -2014 Weekly € 342, 85 15 -22 years old: lower percentage Indication of net wages 23 and older € 1246, - EURES in the Netherlands PAG 21

COST OF LIVING AN IMPRESSION A rather expensive country compared to most other EU countries Meals (home cooked): average of € 6 euro p. p. p. d Water: average € 8, 50 p m Gas: between € 61 – € 100 p m Electricity: € 30 p. p. p. m. Rent: € 750 average, per m 2 € 14, -- - Amsterdam € 1132, per m 2 18, -- Tilburg € 502 Litre of petrol: €? ? ? Changes every day, at this moment € 1, 74 Bread: Cup of coffee: Glass of beer: Chips with snack: € 1. 80 € 2. 00 € 2. 20 € 4. 00 EURES in the Netherlands Cinema ticket: € 9. 00 Short bus ride: € 2. 00 Marlboro cigarettes: € 5. 40 2 -course menu: € 30. 00 PAG 22

What to do after you arrived Health insurance (obligatory) Find Accommodation (High rent 750€) Register at the municipality Apply for BSN (Civil Service Number) www. belastingdienst. nl After 3 months: residence permit

USEFULL WEBSITES www. werk. nl/eures (working in the Netherlands) www. eures. europa. eu (living & working info) www. ind. nl (residence permits) www. belastingdienst. nl taxes www. newtoholland. nl (general information) www. uwv. nl EURES in the Netherlands PAG 24

QUESTIONS? Please visit our stand! EURES in the Netherlands PAG 25