Housing initiative proposal presented
"Equal treatment of the Dutch worker and the migrant worker is paramount." Nico Geerlings is pleased with the initiative proposal presented by the VVD in municipality of Hollands Kroon to act more decisively in the field of housing. For facilitating more lodging accommodation and faster registration of the migrant in the municipal administration. "A proposal that benefits all parties and stakeholders and prevents undesirable situations. And a good example of fruitful cooperation between employers, employment agencies and municipalities."
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VVD wants migrant and NL workers to be treated equally
By Editorial on March 03, 2018
The VVD believes that migrant and Dutch workers should be treated equally. That starts with fast 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 Hollands Kroon must be more decisive. Without enough good places, migrant workers end up in places where you don't want them.
If companies in Hollands Kroon want to cash in on their growth prospects, they must have sufficient employees. Because our own labor force is shrinking, many immigrant workers are needed. But they will only come if their housing is arranged. That does not go without a hitch. That is why the VVD is now coming up with an initiative proposal to regulate this properly. This is of great economic importance.
The VVD plan cuts both ways. It is based on facilitating more lodging accommodations at agricultural farms or industrial sites and a faster registration of the migrant in our municipal administration. The migrant will be allowed to use accommodation for a maximum of one year. At the same time, they will have access to the list of housing seekers. If necessary, in the meantime, they can live in smaller lodging locations in villages.
The essence of the plan is by using a different approach to the migrant worker to respond better to the people, who want to stay here long-term. They should be given the same rights and obligations as their Dutch colleagues. When it comes to salaries, payroll tax, road tax, insurance and their place on the list of house seekers. To achieve this, they must be better registered.
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Registration in the municipal basic administration is quite a hassle. But in the municipality of Westland, it has been shown, that the registration of immigrant workers goes better if it is organized more intelligently. In Westland, the process has been simplified to the point that it takes thirty seconds, not half an hour, per person.
The crux is that all documents are prepared not by the municipality's official, but by the employer. The latter delivers the ready-made sets of forms for registration and IDs to the municipality, where a final check takes place. A second check is at the time of signing.
To actually register the migrant workers, a meeting is held once a month. Dozens of people come there at the same time. To put their signatures, but also to see an informative film about how things work in the Netherlands or Hollands Kroon. What is and isn't expected of you. What we consider normal in this country, and what not.
Employers and employment agencies in Westland are enthusiastic. So is the Municipality of Westland, because their employees' employers receive an authorization to inform the municipality when they leave. In this way, the Westland municipality keeps its files in order. And there is also a reliable picture when it comes to demographic composition of the population in Westland.
The latter is important in the allocation of housing quotas by the province, but also in the granting of permits for the development of accommodation. The VVD believes that Hollands Kroon should be more decisive on this point. Without sufficient good places, migrant workers end up in places where you don't want them. This causes nuisance.
Advantages
The effects of this approach are beneficial in several ways. Our population grows as more migrant workers are enrolled. This supports our position in the negotiation with the province about the quota the municipality receives. This has also had results in Westland. With more residents, Hollands Kroon receives a higher amount from the Municipal Fund. Which makes sense, because migrant workers fully participate in our society.
And finally, the municipality can escape the status of a municipality where shrinkage is looming. It also benefits employers. If the housing contingent grows and more lodging accommodations are available, they can better contract migrant workers so that the continuity of their business is not jeopardized.
One can guess the effects on the local economy as the population grows due to the arrival of young adults and couples with children.
The VVD will take the idea on board in possible coalition negotiations.