Weighing the pros and cons of labour migration
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Political parties want to reduce labour migration, but without harming the Dutch economy. Is that actually possible? Olaf van Vliet, Professor of Economics, spoke to public broadcaster NOS about the pros and cons of restrictive measures.
Just as in 2023, asylum migration was once again a hot topic during the recent election campaign. Another migration issue also attracted a lot of attention in recent weeks: labour migration. It is unclear how many migrant workers are working in the Netherlands. Estimates vary between 700,000 and more than a million. Many political parties would like to get this number down. Although it can be claimed that migrant workers add to the pressure on the tight housing market and the healthcare system, they also make a significant contribution to the Dutch economy.
Any restrictive measures to reduce labour migration will therefore undoubtedly have an impact on the structure of the Dutch economy and its consumers. 'Ultimately, it comes down to a political weighing of costs and benefits,' says Olaf van Vliet. 'These people are advantageous for employers, but consumers also benefit from them.' By this, the professor is referring to the fact that some products, such as tomatoes, could become far more expensive if there are no migrant workers to pick them. 'That said, the social cost – such as the pressure on the housing market – is also felt.'
More information?
Read the full NOS article (in Dutch)