The latest data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reveals that the employment rate among Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands has seen an increase this year.
Data show that as of May 1, 2023, approximately 50 per cent of the 68,000 Ukrainian refugees between the ages of 15 and 64 were employed, a significant increase from the 44 per cent recorded on November 1, 2022.
The share of Ukrainian refugees in paid employment rose most sharply among women, from 44 per cent in November 2022 to 51 per cent in May 2023. The increase was smallest among young men (aged 15 to 24 years) over this period: from 38 to 41 per cent.
According to CBS figures, the majority of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands found employment in various temporary positions, with 28 per cent working as on-call workers, 38 per cent in temporary roles and 31 per cent engaged in other forms of temporary employment.
Among them, the majority chose part-time work, with 29 per cent working about 30 to 35 hours per week, while 18 per cent secured full-time positions involving 35 hours or more per week.
Meanwhile, CBS noted that a significant portion of Ukrainian refugees found employment in the business services sector, accounting for 51 per cent of the workforce, which includes employment agencies. As the same authority explains, determining the specific industry where temporary workers are placed is often challenging.
In addition to business services, many Ukrainian refugees were employed in the trade, transport, accommodation, and food service sectors, accounting for 31 per cent of the total employment distribution.
Moreover, Ukrainian refugees who were engaged in paid employment exhibited a relatively high degree of employer mobility. Among those who remained employed on both July 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023, a notable 39 per cent had changed employers during this period.
Previously, the Dutch authorities announced that starting September 4, 2023, third-country nationals with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine will no longer have the right to be included in the Temporary Protection Directive.
The impact of this policy change is expected to affect around 2,900 individuals. In this regard, when their period of temporary protection ends, these individuals will be faced with two options: they can start the asylum procedure within the Netherlands or be forced to leave the country within 28 days.
