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."