In a new action agenda shared with the House of Representatives, the State Secretary for Participation and Integration Jurgen Nobel has outlined plans to improve Dutch language skills among people living and working in the Netherlands as a means to better integration.

Dutch language important part of integration

The Dutch government is focusing on the importance of language and work for successful integration in the Netherlands in the new plans. According to the government press release, “too many newcomers are dependent on social assistance” and learning Dutch and finding a job is important to overcome this.

In the 12-page letter that Nobel presented to the House of Representatives on Friday, he brought up the plans previously announced by the government in the coalition agreement that require employers to take more responsibility for providing language training to migrant workers. More detailed plans will be provided in the first quarter, including those to improve Dutch language skills for EU migrants and internationals with work visas who currently do not have to take part in language and integration courses. 

Also included in this section of the plans are measures to help refugees with residence permits to find work as soon as possible through “starter jobs”. This would also mean that if refugees refuse starter jobs offered to them, it is “a violation of the obligations that apply to social assistance benefits and can mean that the benefit is reduced”.

Additional measures in government integration plan

The government also included measures to prevent forced marriage, genital mutilation and honour-related violence against women and girls. “In order to ensure that the Netherlands is and remains an open and free society for everyone, efforts are focused on, among other things, strengthening the approach to these harmful practices and change from within the communities themselves.”

After several failed attempts, there will also be new attempts at establishing a Dutch-language imam training programme. Other measures also include education about the Holocaust in citizenship courses and ensuring equal opportunities for work and independence for all women and men. 

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