Holland now!By: Dariusz Brzostek, translation RM
2007-09-06, last update 2007-09-06 12:55
A change of trend in labour migration. After Holland opened its borders plenty of Poles decided to leave for work, and not only those back home but also those living in Germany or the British Isles.Presently about 120 thousand Poles work in Holland. Estimate data from Polish companies operating in Holland shows that since May this number increases by roughly 10 thousand a month.
From Krakow, Katowice, Opole, Wrockaw Gorzów Wielkopolski or Szczecin special buses depart daily hauling evermore Poles to work for Dutch employers.
According to calculations of the Dutch government the need for workers is so high because the Dutch have to fill over 225 thousand jobs. And there is no response locally because unemployment is only 3.5 per cent.
- The people of the Netherlands have begun to prize Polish workers. They are top notch professionals; they have appropriate qualifications and a good reputation. That makes them keenly employed. - confirms Mauritz Verheijden, first diplomatic secretary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Who do the Dutch seek most? - Qualified workers in shipbuilding, technical and metallurgic industries for jobs like: electrician, fitter, painter or welder. There are also many vacancies to be filled in farming, sorting fish, fruit and vegetables, construction, sailors and nurses are needed too - counts out Janusz Dawidowicz, manager of the consular department in Hague.
Such a high demand for polish professionals already caused seven out of ten Poland's largest employment agencies to expand operations in Holland.
Why Holland? - It's close and they pay well - says Kajetan S?onina, managing director of Active Plus, an employment and personnel consultancy agency operating in Holland.
One of the first people who decided to leave after 1st May, 2007, was Arnold Raszkowski - I chose Holland because the pay here is much better than back home. What's more Holland is close and compared to Germany they pay better there. I'm currently working as a fitter. I got 10 euros an hour. They saw that I was good and now it's 11 euros - praises Raszkowski
Andrzej Liszka, a painter, has also responded to job offers in Holland. - I'm leaving in two weeks time and I will be concerned with painting truck trailers and quality control. Many of my friends left for Holland in May and today they are very glad they did - adds Liszka.
But Holland has also become favourite among those working abroad for years. - Poles working in England and Germany are also inquiring about jobs. From day to day I receive more and more inquiries from our countrymen in those countries. There had never been such an interest in the Dutch labour market - thinks Janusz Dawidowicz, manager of the consular department in Hague.
Why are they inquiring about Holland, if they already have good quality jobs abroad?
- Life is cheaper here - says Jacek Kamie?czak, a 30 year old construction worker, who has spent more than three years on the Isles.
Another reason is distance - A seven hour drive and I'm back home in Gorzów Wielkopolski. Thanks to swapping England for Holland I see my family every week, not once a month like before.
The land of tulips is destination for countrymen who have worked for German farmers or construction sites for years.
This is what brothers Jacek and Tomasz Malicki have done. Two reasons decided that they will have to commute longer to work. The Dutch do not require any employment permits, that our western neighbours still do and they pay much better. The hour-rate for farming work is 9-10 euros. Germans pay only 5.5 euros an hour. Construction and household renovation job offers are also better paid - they encourage.
The minimal monthly salary in Holland is 1.3 thousand euros. But Poles working here actually get much more. Kamie?czak for his construction work easily gets 2 thousand euros. - We are getting 100 euros a day. That's an ideal place to work. The most important thing is they pay well and appreciate us - the Malicki brothers mutually conclude.
- The numerous conversations I had with Dutch people prove that they consider us reliable and broadly specialized. A fitter can weld, bricklayers paint walls and lay tiles, Polish drivers are brilliant mechanics and use their spare time to help repair cars. Something like this was unheard of in Holland and they regard us as very reliable specialists and the Dutch press is simply admiring Poles - furthers Janusz Dawidowicz, manager of the consular department in Hague.
The formalities An employment permit is not required, nor is a stay permit. A BSN number is needed - it is an identification number given to anyone who lives and works in Holland. Having a BSN number (het burgenservicenummer), you can get through the official matters more easily. A BSN number enables seeking a job. A private company can be set up within days here.
Polish neighbourhoods in Holland The 120-thousand strong Polish Diaspora has caused many towns to sprout polish neighbourhoods. The most famous one is located in Hague where the Diaspora of 20 thousand created a small fatherland of their own. Every day Polish shops, doctor's offices, pubs and discos with polish names open up there.
www.polishworkers.pl/polishworkers/1,60747,4464779.html
