Cindy Sijmonsma EURES adviser Living and Working in

Cindy Sijmonsma EURES adviser Living and Working in The Netherlands

The Netherlands • 41. 526 Km 2 26% below sea level • Average density of population: 485 per km 2 • Randstad 1000 per km 2 • The Hague 5762 per km 2 ! Working & Living in The Netherlands

Labour market Working & Living in The Netherlands

Results vacancy-survey 2007 ► High age is obstruction in finding a job (55+ 1%) ► Elementary ► Temporarily educated often unemployed work with a view on a permanent job is most current procedure Working & Living in The Netherlands

In the Netherlands there is need of : ► Health sector ► Construction workers, carpenters, masons ► Gardeners, agricultural and horticultural workers ► Cooks ► Electricians ► Welders, metal workers ► Warehouse co-worker ► BA and MA in ICT, Engineering and Marketing Dutch language skills depending on the profession, English or German is a must! Working & Living in The Netherlands

How to find a job? ► Public Employment Service /CWI = Centre for Work and Income > www. werk. nl ► Temporary ► Personal Work Agencies contacts ► Newspapers > Volkskrant/ Telegraaf ► Internet ► Speculative applications common and successful Working & Living in The Netherlands

Temporary work agencies “Uitzendbureau” ►Widespread ► in the Netherlands All kinds of work ►Often first period in a new permanent job ►Job seekers don’t pay, employers do Working & Living in The Netherlands

How to apply to a job ► Telephone ► Letter of motivation accompanied by CV ► E-mail ► Application methods: ► blue collar jobs: less formal, telephone ► white collar jobs: more formal, written Working & Living in The Netherlands

Letter of motivation ► Adjusted ► Not to the company and the vacancy more than one A 4 ► Sell yourself: How can you be of service to the company ► Ask to be invited for a personal interview Working & Living in The Netherlands

Curriculum Vitae ►One/two A 4 ►Personal data ►Education ►Experience ►Hobbies? ►Adjusted to the company/job Working & Living in The Netherlands

Contracts ► Permanent ► Trial period 2 months ► Temporary ► ► labour contract (Fixed) labour contract >2 years: trial period 2 months <2 years: maximum trial period 1 month >3 years permanent >3 in a row permanent contract ► Contract with an agency More information at www. werk. nl Special in the Netherlands: dismissal laws! Working & Living in The Netherlands

Holidays ► 4 x number of work days a week ► 2 weeks in a row, rest upon agreement ► Only ► 8% 6 bank holidays of the annual salary extra, ► paid in May Working & Living in The Netherlands

Wages ► CAO Collective Labour Agreement ► For different sectors of industry ► Applies for all workers in the company ► Temporary work agencies follow this agreement ► Individual agreement Working & Living in The Netherlands

Wages ► Legal minimum wage, depending on age 23 and older fixed minimum wage Monthly € 1. 356, 60 Weekly € 313, 05 15 -22 years old: lower percentage Indication of net wages ► 23 and older € 1160, - ► Income tax and social contributions ► Between 34 and 52%, depending on income ► If worked< 1 year, partly refund possible Working & Living in The Netherlands

Social Security ► Old ► age pension 2% per annum worked in the Netherlands ► Health ► insurance Register with a Dutch health insurer ► Unemployment ► Sickness ► Social ► insurance allowance, Might not be given to other nationalities ► Child ► benefits benefit, must be applied for Working & Living in The Netherlands

Living and Working – Registration Ø Obtain a BSN at tax office or municipality (Burgerservicenummer= fiscal number) Ø Bring necessary E-forms Ø Staying >3 months: register at the city administration Ø Check for addresses: www. belastingdienst. nl taxes www. werk. nl working in the Netherlands http: //eures. europa. eu living&working www. ind. nl work permits Working & Living in The Netherlands

How to find accommodation? ► Seasonal work: ► ► The employer must provide accommodation Regular jobs: ► Rent and buy – – Private agencies Public organisations (Woningcorporaties) ► Rental of furnished houses ► Cities countryside Working & Living in The Netherlands

How to cope with: ‘The Dutchman’ Working & Living in The Netherlands

How to cope with: ‘The Dutchman’ and direct”? ØRudeness or “being open ØDutch always seem to “know better” ØPoldermodel: meetings ØWork and home are different worlds ØEvery hour is planned, as well work as free time ØBeing in time is very important Working & Living in The Netherlands

How to cope with: ‘The Dutchman’ ØHierarchy ØFood habits ØTraffic ØOpen curtains ØBirthdays Working & Living in The Netherlands

Questions? Thank you very much for your attention! Working & Living in The Netherlands