Employers: 'More room for Poles'

Companies in the Leiden region are committed to rapidly increasing housing for Eastern European migrant workers. The fact that municipalities are currently doing too little in this area is at the expense of economic growth in the region. This is according to Dennis van der Voort of Taskforce Huisvesting Arbeidsmigranten (THA).

"We notice that governments pay too little attention to this," explains the resident of Lisserbroek. According to him, the problem is flatly denied by municipalities, and they often have a wrong image of working Eastern Europeans in the Netherlands. "I am shocked when politicians say that it is only about seasonal workers. Then you have really missed a turn, I think."

Also in the city

He also wants to get rid of the generally prevailing idea that Poles and other migrant workers only work in rural areas. "Hotels, wholesalers, transport companies; they work everywhere. Also in Leiden."

According to Van der Voort, there are too few unemployed Dutch people who can help companies out. "The economy is picking up, companies want to grow and need employees for that. They are there, but cannot live in our region."

Labor capital

He estimates the acute shortage of beds in the region at 1500. Millions of euros in labor capital are being missed as a result, according to Van der Voort.

"We have the solution in our pocket. Municipalities, help us find space for extra housing. We have brought the sector together with the task force. Only the government is missing."

From bottlenecks to opportunities

Nico Geerlings makes a clear statement during the visit of the King's Commissioner of South Holland, Jaap Smit, to Noordwijkerhout on March 22. Joint effort, inventiveness and creativity are absolutely necessary to find solutions in the field of housing. Not only for the group of labor migrants, but also for other people in urgent need of housing.

Not only the merger between Noordwijk and Noordwijkerhout and the identity of the village centers were topics of discussion during the official visit that Jaap Smit paid to Noordwijkerhout on Thursday, March 22. After his conversation with the board of aldermen, the commissioner spoke with representatives of social organizations about, among other things, the many labor migrants who work and live in Noordwijkerhout, about their housing, care and language barriers.

In his argument, Nico Geerlings emphasized the urgency, but especially the possible solutions for housing migrant workers.

Urgency

Migrant workers make an indispensable contribution to the economy.
Number of EU labor migrants is growing: 15% of the population of Noordwijkerhout is a labor migrant. That means approximately 2400 people.
In the covenant 'housing migrant workers Holland Rijnland 2014-2018' (see appendices) the ambition is laid down to expand the housing for migrant workers to 4250 places.
As of 2018, the realization lags far behind the ambition: of the 4250 places, 976 have been realized (23%). Part of these 976 places does not concern new realization, but application of the 'bed for bed arrangement'.
The current need for housing for labor migrants in Holland-Rijnland is estimated at 3500.

Background

Labor migrants are needed to keep the economy running and are indispensable in Technology, Agriculture, Healthcare and Services.
Labor migrants contribute much more to us than they cost us, thus offering opportunities instead of threats.
Annually, the group of labor migrants in Noordwijkerhout reinvests around 40 million euros in the local economy.
The absence of or insufficient quality housing means employees staying away and stagnation of the growth of the local economy.

Solutions

Good, solid housing in a very tight market requires a great deal of ingenuity, creativity and joint effort. The various groups, including young people and those in urgent need of housing, should not compete with each other but should rather reinforce each other.
Look for solutions not only in inner-city areas, but also in the outer areas, (edges of) industrial sites and redevelopments should contribute.
Look for solutions at future new construction locations.
Flexible (temporary) solutions, such as the Trampoline in Noordwijkerhout.
Enter into dialogue to arrive at constructive plans and solutions with municipalities when it comes to inner-city possibilities, but also with the province when it comes to outer-city areas.
The housing challenges are not a threat, but an opportunity to retain young, hardworking labor migrants for longer, not only for the short term but also for the long term. This allows us to absorb the upcoming aging wave.

Housing initiative proposal presented

"Equal treatment of Dutch workers and labor migrants is paramount." Nico Geerlings is pleased with the initiative proposal that the VVD in the municipality of Hollands Kroon has presented in order to act more decisively in the field of housing. To facilitate more lodging accommodation and faster registration of the migrant in the municipal administration. "A proposal that benefits all parties and stakeholders and that counteracts undesirable situations. And a good example of fruitful cooperation between employers, temporary employment agencies and municipalities."

Read the entire article below:

VVD wants labor migrants and Dutch workers to be treated equally

By Editors on March 03, 2018

The VVD believes that labor migrants and Dutch workers should be treated equally. That starts with rapid registration, also in terms of housing and taxes. An initiative proposal was presented today to entrepreneurs Nico Geerligs (Flexible Human Services) and Jaap Noordam (Red Harvest). The VVD believes that Hollands Kroon must be more decisive. Without sufficient good places, labor migrants end up in places where you don't want them.

If companies in Hollands Kroon want to capitalize on their growth prospects, they must have sufficient employees at their disposal. Because our own working population is shrinking, many labor migrants are needed. But they only come if their housing is arranged. That doesn't happen without a struggle. That is why the VVD is now coming up with an initiative proposal to regulate this properly. There is a major economic interest served by this.

The VVD plan cuts both ways. It is based on facilitating more lodging accommodations at agricultural companies or on industrial sites and faster registration of the migrant in our municipal administration. The migrant may use lodging accommodation for a maximum of one year. At the same time, they get access to the list of people looking for housing. They may be able to live in smaller lodging locations in villages in the meantime.

The essence of the plan is to better respond to the people who want to stay here for many years by taking a different approach to labor migrants. They must have the same rights and obligations as their Dutch colleagues. When it comes to salaries, payroll taxes, vehicle taxes, insurance and their place on the list of people looking for housing. To achieve this, they must be better registered.

Register

Registering in the municipal basic administration is quite a hassle. But in the municipality of Westland it has become clear that registering labor migrants goes better if it is organized more smartly. In Westland, the process has been simplified so that it takes thirty seconds per person instead of half an hour.

The crux is that all documents are prepared not by the municipal official, but by the employer. They submit the ready-made sets of forms for registration and IDs to the municipality, where a final check takes place. A second check is when signing.

To actually register the labor migrants, a meeting is organized once a month. Dozens of people come there at the same time. To sign their name, but also to see an informative film about how it works in the Netherlands or Hollands Kroon. What is and is not expected of you. What we consider normal in this country, and what not.

Employers and temporary employment agencies in Westland are enthusiastic. The municipality of Westland is also enthusiastic, because the employers receive authorization from their employees to inform the municipality when they leave. This is how the municipality of Westland keeps its files in order. And there is also a reliable picture when it comes to the demographic structure of the population in Westland.

The latter is important for the allocation of housing quotas by the province, but also for the granting of permits for the development of lodging accommodations. The VVD believes that Hollands Kroon must be more decisive on this point. Without sufficient good places, labor migrants end up in places where you don't want them. This causes nuisance.

Advantages

The effects of this approach are beneficial in several respects. Our number of residents grows as more labor migrants are registered. This supports our position in the negotiation with the province about the quotas that the municipality receives. That has also had results in Westland. With more residents, Hollands Kroon receives a higher amount from the Municipal Fund. Which makes sense, because labor migrants are fully involved in our society.

And finally, the municipality can escape the status of a municipality where shrinkage is looming. It is also beneficial for employers. If the quota of homes grows and more lodging accommodations are available, they can contract labor migrants better so that the continuity of their company is not endangered.

It's easy to imagine the effects on the local economy when the population grows due to the arrival of young adults and couples with children.

The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) is taking the idea with them in any potential coalition negotiations.

https://hollandskroon.vvd.nl/nieuws/28395/vvd-wil-dat-arbeidsmigranten-en-nl-arbeidskrachten-gelijk-worden-behandeld

All temporary workers on the app

The vast majority of Flexible Human Services' temporary workers now use the special app to consult the work schedule, hour overviews and documents. The first findings are very positive. All information is clearly available together and can be consulted at any desired moment.

My schedule

We communicate the work schedule of our temporary workers via email and text message. This way, everyone is well and timely informed of what time and where they are expected the next day. The temporary worker can now also view this schedule via the app. They can even look ahead to the work schedule of the following days, if it is final. The app also includes the exact location of the work address and therefore the route to it is available.

My overview

After the end of the working week, we process the hours worked by the temporary workers in our system on the following Monday and Tuesday. The temporary workers can see this in the app.

My documents

In the app, the temporary workers can also view and reread the necessary documents, such as:

contracts
pay slips
client regulations

When necessary, documents can also be digitally signed by the temporary workers via the app.

My correspondence

Here, our employees can reach us, and we can reach them, with a function similar to WhatsApp, organized by group:

Planning: for questions about the work schedule
Flex Housing: for questions related to housing
HR Department: for all questions about hours, salary, and other matters

What toppers!

A large group has passed Dutch steps 1 and 2 and English. Our temporary employees who work at De Menken Keuken have invested their free time in their development to achieve this. We are very proud of that.

This is already the second large group within a year to have obtained their certificate and a new group of 45 participants will start soon. The enthusiasm was contagious, which only increased the commitment of the participants during the course.

The language course for Flexible Human Services' employees working at De Menken Keuken is a concrete example of the successful collaboration between the two companies. In close consultation between the production managers of De Menken Keuken and internal FHS consultant Luiza Gadomska, the quality of the employees is raised to a higher level. This requires inventiveness and creativity, and ultimately results in happy employees who can develop themselves, who are productive, and who build confidence to integrate with their Dutch colleagues.

Great mention for Nico Geerlings

In the list of the 50 most influential people of Duin- en Bollenstreek, Nico Geerlings of Flexible Human Services is in a nice 16th place. 'What a guy, that Nico Geerlings. The director of Flexible Human Services is cheerfulness itself, a real family man and someone who knows the labor market inside and out', according to Into Business Duin- en Bollenstreek, which compiled the list.

VVSB is playing with 12 tonight

The ultimate giant killer in the KNVB Cup of recent years comes from Noordwijkerhout. 'Giant killer VVSB achieves a better series than Ajax, PSV and Vitesse', VI headlines. The club from Noordwijkerhout is performing moderately in the Second Division this season, but has been successful in the KNVB Cup for the third year in a row. Tonight, the club will compete in the eighth final against the bottom of the Eredivisie, Roda JC. A new stunt seems to be in the making.

All of Noordwijkerhout is involved. Many volunteers have been working for weeks to make it an unforgettable party again, regardless of the outcome. Purple-yellow is the feeling this evening, and purple-yellow is the color this evening. The cup heroes will feel supported by the 'twelfth man'. All VVSB supporters will visibly express this during the match, made possible by main sponsor Flexible Human Services.

The real vests can be admired on Thursday, December 21, from 4:00 PM in the VVSB stadium in Noordwijkerhout. They will be handed out to all supporters of the home team upon entry.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2018!

We look back on a beautiful and memorable year. 15 years of Flexible Human Services. We have reminisced and celebrated the anniversary. Our home base gives us confidence in a successful continuation into the future.

Anniversary Magazine NICO

To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Flexible Human Services has released Nico. A magazine by and about FHS. Featuring a look back at the 15 years, interviews with employees and long-standing clients, and many beautiful images. Would you like to have a 'Nico' before Christmas? Please contact us and we will send you a hard copy.

Proud of our employees celebrating anniversaries

Last Friday, November 10, was the evening for the jubilarians. All employees who had been with Flexible Human Services from the start were rightly celebrated extensively. Thanks to these heroes, FHS has grown significantly in the past 15 years. But never without losing its identity. It became a party with many beautiful memories and with the atmosphere of old.

First league win thanks to new team shirts?

After a poor start to the season for VVSB in the Second Division, the first victory was achieved last Saturday. Against Rijnsburgse Boys, a 2-0 deficit was turned into a 2-3 victory by VVSB with a spectacular final phase.

VVSB played in the brand new away kit, which features main sponsor Flexible Human Services on both the front and back. Proud!

Migrant workers offer opportunities, not threats

The facts speak for themselves. Research from the NBBU (Dutch Association of Intermediary and Employment Agencies) shows that the approximately 120,000 migrant workers in the Netherlands do not cause job displacement and that the vast majority of employment agencies provide good housing.

"Labor migrants are essential to keep the economy running," says Nico Geerlings, director of Flexible Human Services. "Here in the bollenstreek, many companies would have to move to regions with more labor potential without these labor migrants, which would ultimately mean job losses across the board. Labor migrants give us much more than they cost us and therefore offer opportunities. And with the economy picking up, the demand for good, hardworking labor migrants will only increase."

He emphasizes the importance of good housing in times of growth and scarcity in the housing market. "That requires, no, that demands a lot of inventiveness, creativity and joint effort from all parties involved."

Read the full article:

https://www.flexmarkt.nl/arbeidsmarkt/feiten-en-fabels-flexmigranten-nederland/

Another cup sensation for VVSB

As the main sponsor of VVSB from Noordwijkerhout, Flexible Human Services is extremely proud of the cup heroes. Last night, in the first round of the KNVB cup, football club Telstar from the First Division was convincingly defeated 4-1. This marks the third season in a row that VVSB has enjoyed cup success, proving the football club is a true cup fighter.

It seemed like Telstar was off to a good start with an early lead. However, VVSB immediately fought back into the game, and even with 10 men, they managed to equalize before half-time. In the second half, VVSB was clearly the better team, resulting in a fantastic 4-1 victory. Another magical evening at Sportpark de Boekhorst.

Sunny and atmospheric FHS summer festival

Last Sunday, September 17, the employees of Flexible Human Services celebrated the company's 15-year anniversary together on the beach of Kijkduin. The sun was shining, there was more than enough to eat and drink and various fun activities. "It was a wonderful afternoon for our family, we participated in all kinds of activities and had so much fun," said Magdalena Cichos. "It really gives me the feeling that my contribution matters. Very special."

In those 15 years, Flexible Human Services has grown from around 70 to approximately 1800 employees who work daily for various clients. With people who have been there for all 15 years, but also with new people joining every week. They have all come to the Netherlands with the same goal. To work hard and earn money. To achieve this, they leave their home in their homeland for a shorter or longer period of time. Then it is important that you also start to feel at home here. As an employer, you certainly have an important role in this, according to Flexible Human Services. This means that you have to arrange things well for your employees. In the field of work, but certainly also outside of it.

That also includes celebrating a party together. Together with all employees, together with your partner and your family. To give you the feeling that you are also at home here, and that we appreciate that you are here to work so hard. That has been achieved. Magdalena had a great afternoon with her colleagues and her family. "What a surprise that we had such a delicious and top-notch Polish meal, enjoy! And everything there was to do was so much fun. The magician, our little girl full of beautiful glitter tattoos, the singing hairdressers, kite flying and of course the photo bus. This way we also have a lasting memory of this wonderful day. I am happy to be part of the FHS family."

15 years of partnership based on trust

Nico Geerlings and Cor Egberts were interviewed for the publication of client Vireo, which was recently released. 'Partnership based on trust pays off in long-term and fruitful relationships.'

Read the entire article on page 8 of the magazine:

http://doingbusinesswith.goomedia.nl/vireoplantsales/

Festive anniversary relation day

Flexible Human Services celebrated its 15th anniversary with clients and business relations. As a thank you for the cooperation and years of trust, an active and above all pleasant day was organized, with an afternoon program full of activities and followed by an anniversary party.

All of this took place on and around the special and atmospheric location of Landgoed Tespelduyn in Noordwijkerhout. Where the sun also shone abundantly throughout the day.

The activity program offered something for everyone with a choice of a 9-hole golf competition, an informative and surprising jeu de boules clinic or a nostalgic ride through the area on the Solex. The pleasure could be read on everyone's faces. During the anniversary celebration, in addition to pleasant conversations, delicious food and drinks, there was also a moment to reflect on the 15th anniversary, what has been achieved and what the future may bring. The unique anniversary edition 'Nico' was also proudly presented.

A beautiful day to look back on, full of wonderful memories!

(more…)

More than just temporary employment

Flexible Human Services celebrates 15 years

The company that everyone knows from the blue-green-yellow bicycles and vans. Flexible Human Services has stood for 'at home' in international recruitment for 15 years. And that says so much more than just temporary employment. A company with a social soul, personified in founder and director Nico Geerlings. Today the anniversary is celebrated with clients and relations. Today, the one-off anniversary edition of Nico is also presented. A magazine by and about FHS.

“I am proud of what we have achieved together in those 15 years. Proud of the long-standing trust that our clients have given us. Proud of our identity. We have grown. Where in 2002 we may have had 50 to 70 people working, in 2017 that number is 1800 on peak days. But we still work with the same philosophy as 15 years ago, ensuring every day that the right person ends up in the right place.

Because you can only feel at home somewhere if things are well organized for you. Only when you feel at home somewhere can you get the best out of yourself. This means that you have to arrange things well for the migrant worker. From the beginning, I saw the vulnerability of the people who came to the Netherlands without anything to work hard and earn as much money as possible in a short time. Unfortunately, this situation and the people were regularly abused. As a matter of course, from the beginning, we ensured good conditions in the areas of housing, support, education, insurance and transport for our own people. But in my role and from my position, I also felt it was important to sit down with governments, municipalities and expert and ambassador teams to stand up for the migrant worker in general.”

Thanks in part to Nico's efforts, there are now necessary and workable rules and agreements regarding the deployment of migrant workers. But the market and the world around us are changing, and new rules and legislation are added every year. On the one hand, the importance of deploying migrant workers to keep the economy running is underlined. But the way in which this is done is increasingly a point of discussion. “It is our job to stay ahead when it comes to transparency in working methods and processes.

But even more importantly, it still gets a little more fun every year. And working with people is really the best thing there is!”

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Successful!

Approximately 30 temporary employees from Flexible Human Services have successfully completed the Dutch course level 1 and obtained their certificate. A wonderful result from this group. The enthusiasm was contagious, which only increased the commitment of the participants during the course. What started as a trial will certainly be continued within De Menken Keuken due to its success. For this group, that means a follow-up Dutch course, for others a new beginner's course.

'How you live largely determines how you feel'

Anna Borys has been living in the Stek in Wieringerwerf for almost three years now. ‘For a few years it is fine here, quiet, neat and there are always people around to do something with on the weekend. Maybe I would like to settle in the Netherlands someday. Owning my own home would be a first step to really feeling at home here.

Expansion of vehicle fleet

Growth means expansion, including our fleet of vehicles.

We are proud of our new cars at Flexible Human Services. Everyone can move forward safely again!