WORKING AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS

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WORKING AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS

• Hannie Eilers
• Eures Adviser

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The Netherlands

• 41.526 Km2
• Inhabitants gt 16 mil
• Average density of
• population
• - 387 per km2
• - 1000 per km2
• in Randstad!

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The PESEURES/district
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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

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The Netherlands?
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Political structure

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

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Social structure

• Residents

• Employees

• Social benefits
• Depending on domestic situation
• General old age pensions
• Widows/widowers/
• orphans
• Child benefits

• Health insurance
• Sickness benefits
• Unemployment benefits
• Disablements benefits

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Employers federations

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

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Present situation

• Still growing economy
• Low rate of unemployment
• 342.000 unemployed (4.4 )
• 10.9 unemployed between 15-24 years old

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The North

• Rural
• Tourism
• Education (Leeuwarden, Groningen)
• Transport
• Retail

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The East

• Rural
• Administration
• Tourism
• Education (Enschede)
• Transport
• Retail
• Care

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The South

• Rural
• Industry in Brabant
• Administration
• Construction
• Tourism
• Education (Maastricht)
• Transport
• Retail
• Care

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The West (Randstad)

• Highly industrialized
• Harbors, Airports
• Highest number of jobs
• Education (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden,
  Delft)
• Urban agglomeration

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The near future

• Up to 2010 yearly growth of 2.25
• Decrease in jobs in
• Agriculture
• Metal and industry (partly)
• Electronics
• Chemistry

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The near future 2

• Young people choose blue collar
• Shortage of craftsmen
• Demographic developments
• Need for plumbers, welders, carpenters,
  construction workers, gardeners, fitters, motor
  mechanics, commercial sales representatives,
  hotel and restaurant staff (cooks!)

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Living and Working Registration

• Obtain a sofi-number (BSN or 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

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E-forms

• E301 ? leaving Holland? ?Issued by UWV ? check
  with local office.
• Application for unemployment benefits? ?
  registration with E301 at CWI of your residence.
• E303 / E119? should be taken to CWI of your
  residence as soon as possible after arrival in
  the Netherlands.

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How to find a job?

• Personal contacts
• Newspapers
• Public Employment Service / CWI ? www.werk.nl
• Internet (incl EU-site)
• Speculative applications ? common and successful
• Temporary Work Agencies!

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Temporary work agencies

• Widespread in Holland
• Special Legislation
• How to inscribe?
• CV
• Sofi number/ BSN number
• Bank account
• For free
• More information www.werk.nl

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Contracts?

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

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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

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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

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Housing

• For sale
• Prices depend on the location
• Randstad very expensive
• Less crowded less expensive

• Rented houses
• Availability depends on the location
• Randstad very rare
• Less crowded easier available

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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

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Cultural differences

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

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Arrivederci in Olanda

• C U in the Netherlands
• Thank you for your attention!