1. WORKING AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS
Hannie Eilers
Eures Adviser

2. The Netherlands 41.526 Km2 Inhabitants > 16 mil Average density of
population:
per km2
per km2
in Randstad!

3. The PES&EURES/district

4. 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

5. The Netherlands?

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

7. 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

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

9. State of the Economy / Present situation
Growing economy
Sharp decrease of unemployment
Polder model
End of transitional period probl
unemployed (8.1%)
13.2% unemployed between years old

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

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

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

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

14. The near future Up to 2008 yearly growth of 0.8 % Decrease in jobs in:
Agriculture
Metal and industry
Electronics
Chemistry

15. 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

16. Living and Working – Registration
Obtain a sofi-number (fiscal number) at tax office. Check for addresses:
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.

17. 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.

18. How to find a job? Personal contacts Newspapers
Public Employment Service / CWI 
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.

19. Temporary work agencies
Widespread in Holland
Special Legislation
How to inscribe? CV
Sofi number
Bank account
For free
More information:

20. Contracts? Temporary labour contract Permanent labour contract
Contract with an agency
More information:

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. Usefull Websites http://www.werk.nl
(site PES Holland) Working in the Netherlands
(Taxes)
 Social Security

25. Cultural differences Individual Open minded Informal Hardworking
Humour
Direct
Tolerant

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