Admission and integration of refugees and asylum seekers to (the labour market in) the Netherlands

Abstract

This chapter zooms in on the problematic integration of refugees in the Netherlands over the last decades. It also shows the important relation between admission in general and the labour market specifically as crucial elements influencing integration. The recent development in the Netherlands of expanding the legal possibilities for asylum seekers to work is a good example in this context. However The intention of the new Dutch government to introduce a dual legal system dividing refugees from persons with a subsidiary protection status is not a good development, because it could impede the possibilities for this second category of subsidiary protected persons to access the labour market in practice. The Dutch system also shows that a policy entirely focused on integration has limitations for acquiring a stronger position on the labour market because there is effectively no time left to work. On the other hand, a “work-first” policy in contrast to a “settle-first” policy has disadvantages as well, as shown by the Dutch approach towards the arrival of the Ukrainians. These Ukrainians were freely admitted to the labour market from day one, but this often brings them in precarious circumstances, undermining further integration.