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Tent Netherlands: A New Era in Refugee Employment Integration

In a groundbreaking move to enhance the integration of refugees into the Dutch labor market, the Tent Partnership for Refugees has officially launched Tent Netherlands. This initiative, which unites over 40 renowned companies, aims to improve employment opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers in the country. The launch event, held in Amsterdam, showcased participants, including industry giants such as IKEA, Marriott International, and Philips.

The Refugee Employment Challenge

Currently, more than 290,000 refugees reside in the Netherlands, with a significant number originating from countries like Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea. Despite having the legal right to work, their participation in the labor force remains alarmingly low. For example, after two years, only 12% of recognized refugees secure employment, growing to 46% after six years. In contrast, the employment rate for Ukrainian refugees who receive immediate work permits is about 55% within the same timeframe. This stark statistic highlights the systemic barriers hindering refugees' access to employment opportunities, even as the national participation rate stands at 73%.

Addressing the Barriers

With over 400,000 job openings in sectors such as hospitality and healthcare, the urgency to integrate refugees into the workforce is greater than ever. Tent Netherlands aims to eliminate barriers that refugees face, including language barriers, limited networks, CV gaps, and childcare issues. By connecting these individuals with employers across varying levels of job experience, Tent Netherlands seeks to create a sustainable solution to labor shortages while fostering inclusivity.

The initiative offers assistance at no cost to companies involved, providing them with tools, HR training, insights from Tent’s international network, tailored programs suited for the Dutch market, collaborative workshops, and introductions to local partners that can link refugee talent to job vacancies.

Hélène van Melle, the director of Tent Netherlands, emphasizes the critical nature of this initiative: "There are now more job vacancies than unemployed individuals in the Netherlands, and the gap is widening. Employing refugees presents a triple win: it addresses labor shortages, allows refugees to rebuild their lives, and lets them contribute positively to society. With the evolving challenges we face, concerted efforts are paramount. Tent Netherlands and our coalition are committed to accelerating refugee employment participation on a large scale."

Advantages for Companies

Research from Tent indicates that hiring refugees not only aids in addressing the labor shortage but also benefits companies significantly. Refugees tend to stay longer in their positions, and overall employee satisfaction and engagement improve. Moreover, many consumers favor brands that employ refugees.

Monique Bijl, a representative from Philips, states, "Since joining the Tent Partnership for Refugees, we’ve successfully hired refugees across various levels, both in the Netherlands and globally. We are looking forward to collaborating within this coalition to learn from one another as we provide refugees the opportunity to excel."

Ineke Jeuster, Chief People Officer at McDonald's Netherlands, adds, "Every day, we witness the importance of equitable chances. Everyone deserves an opportunity to work and grow, including job-seeking refugees. We take pride in joining Tent Netherlands and are committed to helping them find employment, thus building strong teams in our restaurants while providing individuals with a fresh start."

Sven Bloem, Manager of Impact and Participation at Vebego, highlights the untapped potential within refugee communities, stating, "Our experience shows that refugees represent a diverse, motivated, and resilient pool of talent. Hiring them is not only socially responsible but also a savvy business decision. As part of Tent Netherlands, we will continue to advocate for the employment of refugees and warmly welcome them into our teams."

Diverse Participation

The coalition of over 40 companies involved in Tent Netherlands spans various industries, including 180 Amsterdam, ABN AMRO, Adecco Group, AkzoNobel, Arcadis, and many more. This launch marks a pivotal moment in the efforts of the Tent Partnership for Refugees, which has been actively engaging with companies in the Netherlands since its inception in 2018.

The initiative follows on the heels of the Dutch Business Summits held in 2019 and 2022, which successfully facilitated job placements for thousands of refugees in the Netherlands.

Looking Ahead

As the Netherlands continues to welcome an influx of refugees, the role of businesses becomes crucial in their economic integration into society. Tent Netherlands aims to mobilize leading companies to hire refugees nationwide, paving the way for better employment outcomes. This national coalition remains part of the broader Tent Partnership for Refugees, founded by Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of Chobani, in 2016, with the goal of connecting the world’s largest employers with access to local job markets for refugees. Tent is also active in ten other countries across the Americas and Europe.

For more information, visit www.tent.org/nederland.