WORKING AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS Hannie Eilers

WORKING AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS Hannie Eilers Eures Adviser

The Netherlands • 41. 526 Km 2 • Inhabitants > 16 mil • Average density of population: - 387 per km 2 - 1000 per km 2 in Randstad!

The PES&EURES/district

Centre for Work and Income • Public Employment Services • Registration unemployed (passport/sofinr. ) - (E intake) • Welfare benefits (E forms) • Search for work and mediation • Knowledge of local labourmarket • Advise on reintegration processes • Active Eures partner

The Netherlands?

Political structure • • • Constitutional monarchy Two chambers in Parliament Many political parties Elections every 4 year Three levels: – National – Provincial – Local

Social structure • Residents • Social benefits • Employees • Health insurance – Depending on domestic • Sickness benefits situation • Unemployment • General old age benefits pensions • Disablements benefits • Widows/widowers/ orphans • Child benefits

Employers federations • Private organisations of employers • Sector bound • Partner in discussions with government and trade unions (social partners) • Negotiators collective labour agreements (CAO)

State of the Economy / Present situation • • Growing economy Sharp decrease of unemployment Polder model End of transitional period probl. 01 -01 -07 • 597. 501 unemployed (8. 1%) • 13. 2% unemployed between 15 -24 years old

The North ► Rural ► Tourism ► Education (Leeuwarden, Groningen) ► Transport ► Retail

The East ► Rural ► Administration ► Tourism ► Education (Enschede) ► Transport ► Retail ► Care

The South ► Rural ► Industry in Brabant ► Administration ► Construction ► Tourism ► Education (Maastricht) ► Transport ► Retail ► Care

The West (Randstad) ► Highly industrialized ► Harbors, Airports ► Highest number of jobs ► Education (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, Delft) ► Urban agglomeration

The near future • • • Up to 2008 yearly growth of 0. 8 % Decrease in jobs in: Agriculture Metal and industry Electronics Chemistry

The near future 2 • • Young people choose blue collar Shortage of craftsmen Demographic developments Need for: Plumbers, carpenters, construction workers, Gardeners, Masons, Fitters, Motor Mechanics, Commercial Sales Representatives

Living and Working – Registration • Obtain a sofi-number (fiscal number) at tax office. Check for addresses: www. belastingdienst. nl • Suggestion: Visit (im)migration counter (GBA) of the Civil Affairs Department (Burgerzaken) at you local council. • 6 months to find work in the Netherlands

E-forms • E 301 leaving Holland? Issued by UWV check with local office. • Application for unemployment benefits? registration with E 301 at CWI of your residence. • E 303 / E 119 should be taken to CWI of your residence as soon as possible after arrival in the Netherlands.

How to find a job? • Personal contacts • Newspapers • Public Employment Service / CWI www. werk. nl • Internet • Speculative applications common and successful • Temporary Work Agencies!

Temporary work agencies • Widespread in Holland • Special Legislation • How to inscribe? – CV – Sofi number – Bank account – For free • More information: www. werk. nl

Contracts? • Temporary labour contract • Permanent labour contract • Contract with an agency • More information: www. werk. nl

Wages • Legal minimum wage – Depending on age • 15 -22 years old: lower percentage • 23 and up: fixed minimum wage • CAO Collective Labour Agreement – For different sectors of industry – Counts for all workers in the company • Individual agreement

How to apply ► Letter of motivation accompanied by cv ► Telephone ► E-mail (be sure you always sent your application by post as well) ► If invited for an interview check culture company

Housing • Rented houses: • Availability depends on the location – Randstad: very rare – Less crowded: easier available • For sale: • Prices depend on the location – Randstad: very expensive – Less crowded: less expensive

Usefull Websites • http: //www. werk. nl (site PES Holland) Working in the Netherlands • http: //www. belastingdienst. nl (Taxes) • http: //www. svb. nl Social Security • www. undutchables. nl • www. abroad-experience. com • www. expatica. com

Cultural differences • • Individual Open minded Informal Hardworking Humour Direct Tolerant

QUESTIONS? C U in the Netherlands Thank you for your attention!