The Dutch authorities have revealed that more than half of the Ukrainian refugees who are living in the country are employed. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), at the end of November 2023, a noteworthy 55 per cent of around 78,000 Ukrainian nationals aged 15 to 64 living in the Netherlands were actively participating in the workforce. This represents a significant surge in the employment rate compared to November 1, 2022, when the share of Ukrainian employees in the country was only 44 per cent.
Ukrainian refugees who arrived in the Netherlands after the Russian invasion at the end of February 2022 enjoy a unique status as they are not required to obtain a work permit, as reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com. This sets them apart from other migrants originating from non-European Union countries or those within the EU Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Individuals aged 25 to 44 among the Ukrainian refugee population exhibited the highest employment rate at 59 per cent, while the youngest group, aged 15 to 24, reported a slightly lower employment rate of 49 per cent. The gender distribution in the labour force appeared to be relatively balanced, with men and women participating in employment at close rates.
Most Ukrainian refugees were employed as on-call workers (26 per cent), temporary workers (39 per cent), or had other temporary employment (30 per cent). More than half (53 per cent) worked full-time, i.e. 35 hours per week or more; 15 per cent worked 30 to 35 hours, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
A significant proportion of Ukrainian refugees found employment in the business services sector, including employment agencies, accounting for 51 per cent of the workforce. This sector, which involves the placement of temporary workers, presents challenges for sector-specific verification. Beyond business services, a significant number of Ukrainian refugees were employed in the trade, transport, accommodation, and food service sectors, accounting for 32 per cent of the total.
Moreover, the occupational landscape for Ukrainian refugees in paid employment showed a tendency for frequent changes in employers. Among those employed on November 1, 2022, and November 1, 2023, 41 per cent of them changed their employment during this period. This data showcases the resilience and adaptability of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands workforce.
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