5 months Ago
The CPB started monitoring migrant labour migration patterns in 1999, and the trend was that although 850,000 labour migrants work in the Netherlands today, most do not stay on a permanent basis. "Also 75 percent returns within 10 years to their homes and some also return a lot earlier, especially during an economic recession," said CPB researcher Gerdien Meijerink.
Stay duration is influenced by income, work and partners
Very few think about leaving their jobs in terms of job loss. Retrenchment among labour migrants is about three times higher than when working. And if they do succeed in finding a new job after a spell without employment, the odds of their staying almost double.
Earnings similarly have a very high impact on length of stay. Among those making €1,000 to €2,000 a month, 64 per cent were staying in the country after five years. This more than doubled to 78 per cent for those earning €2,000–€3,000 a month and rose to 87 per cent for those on more than €6,000.
Relationships are another key factor. Migrants who have a partner—especially one who is Dutch-born or with whom they live —are more likely to stay. Other demographics and household structure, gender, age and region of birth also have an effect.
Labour flows to soar despite policy push
The majority of labour migrants work in agriculture, (horti and fruit culture), logistics, construction, food processing and metal processing. Around two-thirds hail from Eastern Europe, including countries like Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. A significant number are hired through temp agencies.
Even though the demissionary Dutch cabinet tried to slow migration — in part because of housing and social pressure — free movement within the European Union will make it hard to slash labour migration greatly. According to projections, the number of labour migrants in the Netherlands may reach 1.2 million by 2030.
The movement is one stipulated by economic conditions in the Netherlands and in migrants' countries of origin, according to the CPB study. As job markets change, so do the decisions that migrants make about whether to stay or return home.
