WORKING AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS Hannie Eilers Eures Adviser

The Netherlands 41.526 Km2 Inhabitants > 16 mil Average density of population: - 387 per km2 - 1000 per km2 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 Employees Social benefits Depending on domestic situation General old age pensions Widows/widowers/ orphans Child benefits Health insurance Sickness benefits Unemployment benefits Disablements 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 You are a national of an EU/EEA Member State and you wish to come to the Netherlands. Residence document As an EU/EEA national, you are not required to have a residence permit to be able to stay in the Netherlands if you stay pursuant to the EC Treaty. The following reasons for residence are considered as a stay pursuant to the EC Treaty: • Work • Study and practical experience • Economic inactivity • Stay as a family member of a Community national. For other reasons for residence, you do need a regular residence permit. Even if you do not need a residence document, it may be useful to have one anyway because other authorities may ask for one. For example, with a residence permit, you can open a bank account in the Netherlands. You can request a residence document at the (im)migration counter of the Population Affairs Department (Burgerzaken) at your local council. In addition to your passport, you must take along an employment contract, if applicable, two passport photographs (not taken in a photo booth), a copy of your birth certificate, your tax and social security (SOFI) number (obtainable from the local tax office), and the fee due. EEA nationals who work in the Netherlands enjoy the same rights as Dutch nationals with regard to salary, working conditions, access to accommodation, vocational training, social security and trade union membership. Members of your immediate family and your dependants (for example, your children) may join you and enjoy the same rights as you. Before you can start work, you must first apply to your local tax office for a tax and social security (SOFI) number. With a SOFI number you can be identified in the Dutch tax and social security system. Any (future) employer or employment agency will ask you for your SOFI number before you can start work. General conditions Anyone wishing to stay in the Netherlands must have: - a valid passport or identity document; - medical insurance (in the case of a stay of longer than six months); - sufficient means of support.

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. You must ask for form E303 and E119 before you leave. The form E303, which secures the payment of your unemployment benefit in The Netherlands, should be taken to the CWI, nearest to where you live, as soon as possible after your arrival in The Netherlands. The form E119 secures your sickness insurance has also to be presented at the CWI.

How to find a job? Personal contacts Newspapers Public Employment Service / CWI  www.werk.nl Internet Speculative applications  common and successful Temporary Work Agencies! How can I find work in the Netherlands? There are several ways to find a job in the Netherlands. There are the national and regional newspapers with job ads. Many jobs in the Netherlands are obtained by personal mediation of future  colleagues, or by a spontaneous application to a firm where you may fit in. Part time work is widespread, also temporary jobs are quite  common. Your job search should start before departure. Personal contacts Finding a job through personal contacts is quite common. Making contacts can be done in an informal way. It is not considered correct to ask people directly for a job in their company. Just ask them for information and the job opportunities. Do not hesitate to inquire or present yourself by phone. Public Employment Service The public employment service (CWI, Centre for Work and Income)  plays an important role in the Dutch labour market. They assist people to find a job. They are essential when looking for a job, but they also give advice, information and other help.   Temporary employment agencies Private sector temporary employment agencies (uitzendbureau) are widespread (see the yellow pages for addresses). Work on a temporary basis is often used to gain work experience, which is considered particularly important in the Netherlands. Almost all occupations are covered by temporary employment agencies in the Netherlands. Media advertisements Jobseekers should primarily consult Dutch newspapers for vacancies. The Saturday editions of the national papers, NRC Handelsblad, de Volkskrant, de Telegraaf and Algemeen Dagblad all carry job offers. Internet Internet is a common and an excellent tool for jobhunting. There are many interesting Dutch sites on the Internet. On several sites you can register your CV in a job database. Employers often check them in search of new recruits. Speculative applications Speculative applications are very common and successful in the Netherlands. Even if the company has currently no vacancies, they will still keep applications on file. Information about companies and directories are provided by organisations like Chambers of Commerce or the embassy/consulate of your country. You can also check eg. magazines, yearbooks, the Yellow Pages and of course the Internet.  

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 CAO Collective Labour Agreement 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 For sale: Rented houses: 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

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!