Okay, now this I have to say is fair! If you cannot get a job because of the language problem, then that is your own fault. Tax payers should not be supporting you because you are too lazy to learn the language. Even in the USA, they do not hand out wefare for people because they don´t know enough english to work.

By sandra | September 23, 2009 9:19 AM

On the one hand it is a great advantage understanding the language, culture & history of a country but, it should be a voluntary response, and not forced upon a person. The EU states that a person may not be forced to work. Understandably one should take up employment whenever possible.

In times of economic instability and with ever decreasing job opportunity, it is hardly fair to press-gang people into employment. The Netherlands will never fully succeed with their integration program because the physiology is wrong. Instead of motivation, the country is using income reduction threat tactics. It would be a more intelligent move to motivate people to integrate by reward, rather than bullying. How on earth do you expect someone to learn Dutch if they are illiterate? A majority of the foreigners living here are only able to do simple manual work. One does not need to speak Dutch to do conveyor-belt work.

Most of the Dutch nationals are from Muslim countries. They are discouraged from marrying with non Muslims. This is where integration falls apart, because of the clash between religion & culture.

The government really needs to rethink it's immigration strategy by encouragement, not threat.

Some sort of financial reward would work far better than putting even more pressure on a person that is merely surviving with a minimum income.

Encouragement is the best method, not threat of income loss.
Loss of income will only lead to a higher crime level, or am I wrong on this assumption?

By stevie | September 23, 2009 10:33 AM

I agree with Stevie to a point, encouragement is the best method. It is only when the government and communities have made the maximum effort that drawing a line in the sand needs to be made. Mind you, when the line is drawn, no backing down or iffy responses, that in turn makes for more confussion and problems.

By Solkhar | September 23, 2009 1:14 PM

Totally agree with stevie. Carrot or stick? Carrot is always the best incentive. Sadly the Dutch calvinistic system does not get it.

By bobsocks | September 23, 2009 1:29 PM

Well I kind of agree..BUT..now i am working, that means I contribute to the fund(s) which sponsor unemployment benefits etc. If i cannot use this benefit, because of whatever reason will i get the money i have already contributed back? If not, it is called STEALING.

By kos | September 23, 2009 2:34 PM

Why is it assumed that not knowing a language means "lazy"? Rather simplistic. We have no idea about the lives these people are living, their responsibilities, their ability to learn or their ability to pay for lessons.

When I was made redundant on my job this year, I inquired with the CWI whether they helped people upgrade skills to make them more employable...specifically with the Dutch language. They could not provide any help at all. I couldn't continue with my lessons as a result.
So how will it help solve the problem cutting off benefits if they have to pay for Dutch lessons out of their own pockets? If they are on benefits, they may not be able to afford lessons in the first place.
And why does this government insist on implementing all these punitive actions during an economic downturn? Apparently Joe Average is being made to pay for the mistakes of greedy rich bankers...

By CW | September 23, 2009 4:23 PM

This would possibly be ok if the government department concerned would organise free, or heavily subsidised language and integration courses for the persons affected by this action. Although the courses are available, they are expensive and as such not accessible to unemployed non Dutch Nationals. Also, if these persons have paid their taxes and social security contributions, would it then be right to deny them benefits when they need them? I think not....

By CAB | September 23, 2009 4:44 PM

hoy guys,
PLEASE wake up!More tham 20 years of encouragement have passed and see the results. And you still think that not enough has been done to encourage them to integrate...oh please come on, stop this typical lenient politicaly-correct attitude. Encouragement does work for specific kind of people, the hard way is necessary for others!

By seb | September 23, 2009 8:01 PM

As a high tax paying immigrant in NL, I have never understood why the government chose to harass all expats, when the real issue was about money and social services. I don't think it is out of line to expect people to do job training, whether it is language or skills, in order to receive benefits, and whether they are immigrants or Dutch nationals.

It's about time The Netherlands starts to address the real issues, also of Dutch nationals, rather than just make "inburgering" (integration) an easy answer to solving Dutch problems.

By Quest | September 23, 2009 8:46 PM

Hi, what is the obsession on integration? There is a whole English speaking world here in the NL and no-one is talking about integration. It is a parallel tax paying society, just as these Dutch citizens without language skills are.

Having moved from Britain, or London to be specific, I am shock at the cultural debate here . In my opinion the NL should be mainly concerned about social mobility and as Stevie mentions, there should be incentives for less priveledged immigrants to contribute to society.
Is it not time for the Netherlands to embrace its multitude of cultures and peoples? Is it not time for the local city councils to publish their information in other languages than Dutch to help everyone to be part of society, rather than exclude us by barrier of language? This is common in London boroughs, where important information is published in several minority languages. That way there is equal access to information and a more equal chance to move up the social ladder.
The Netherlands is not mono cultural anymore, nor a colonial power that enforces its way of life on others.
New radical thinking is needed that embraces all of its Dutch citizens and temporary residents.

By cheeky | September 23, 2009 10:34 PM

I think that it is all fine to cut welfare payments to non dutch speaking nationals for not undertaking the intergration course, but all migrants should have to take the test including people from other countries in the EU.

By jwade | September 24, 2009 3:21 AM

It is not fair to judge that people who can't speak Dutch after many years living in the Netherlands are lazy! There are many reasons behind this situation. If they are literate, then educate them, if they were never get any job interviews after many years applying for jobs, then improve that CWI functions!
I wonder if why they don't implement such regulation to all non Dutch citizens (include EU citizens) who receive social benefits from Dutch government but lacking dutch language skills. The only reason this government applied this to non EU citizens because they are minority and very often are unrepresented in this society. So typical, dividing the non Dutch citizens into EU and Non EU..

By PB | September 24, 2009 6:57 AM

I am British , arrived in the Netherlands on 1 August & started Dutch classes last week. However, they cost €365 & finding a class locally was impossible - I could have studied German, Italian, Spanish & English & other EU languages locally but not Dutch so now have to travel an hour from my home.
When you first arrive in a new country/new home, you spend lots of money settling into your new home so I think they should make Dutch classes more affordable to all & have more widespread availability of classes.
Other ides is that GBA or government could offer language tapes/computer discs etc at reduced rates to new migrants.

By Carol | September 24, 2009 7:49 AM

I am one sitting in one of the inburgering classes. Guess, like those attending such courses, would understand first hand how some of the people feel towards the language. I heard some saying, "even if I can speak Dutch fluently, I'll never be excepted because of my religion".
Another said, "like as though they'll bother to come and talk to me and visit me in my house?"
Here I am hearing the unsung words "ACCEPTANCE" n "RESPECT".
I totally agree with them.
The more with this inburgering issue, the more distance I feel towards this country.I know one day I am going back to my own country too.
I am speaking out of honesty not any malice.

By GA | September 24, 2009 8:08 AM

Is there any checks on the institutions, offering language courses ? I think NO. I go through all the process and soon will be appearing in the NT2 exam. But to be honest, I learned nothing from the institutions. Although during my test before the course, I took 100 % marks. Because most of the questioons are common sense and not educational. If I asses myself, my dutch is at the same level as was before the course.
There is a need to keep a check on the institutions, so that they can properly teach the language and enable their students in learning and getting a job. And the government should pay them unless and until a student pass and get a job. Integration become commercial.
Secondly, I have a job and the school was pushing me to leave the job and attend the course. Which I did not. Because I know that once I did that, then I will be very easily blackmailed.
Thirdly CWI is doing nothing to help. They will give you a list of Uitzendbureau and will ask you to register with them and then on weekly basis, they will make appointment with you to hear your story and that's it. Their is no guidance, no training, internship etc are available with them. They are sitting there to listen your stories and "terrorize" you of the consequences, if you do not have a job.
GA I also bought bags for packing....

By J.Khan | September 24, 2009 9:15 AM

The CWI has only heard of Undutchables. When I showed the expat jobs sites I had registered with and the jobs I had applied for with no help from them, they just said, "Well, you seem to know what you are doing," and didn't feel the need to meet with me for another three months...They have no idea about the expat job market whatsoever...

By CW | September 24, 2009 11:07 AM

I'm pretty sure the Dutch govt. has enough of the Dr. Spock method of welcoming immigrants.

When they offered free classes, people whinged. Now, they are trying to instill a bit of self responsibility by making the courses paid courses. Still you whinge.

If you can't get a job because you don't speak Dutch, after a certain number of years, it's your own fault. Why should the CWI have to throw more money at you to help you learn something you should have learned during your inburgeringscursus?

I totally agree that people who have not made the effort to intergrate shouldn't receive benefits.

By T. | September 24, 2009 4:00 PM

I registered with the CWI in May after being made redundant and have yet to meet with my "Work Coach" who has made absolutely no effort whatsoever to meet me or give any kind of advice. Through my own initiative I had a meeting with Social Services who kindly agreed to pay for a Dutch course with the aim to write the Staatsexam 1 and 2. I have now just heard that I will receive only 3 months unemployment benefit in total so I am now being forced back into returning to work and will probably be unable to complete my course. The various agencies involved seem to have no communication with each other whatsoever. So much for integration.

By AB | September 24, 2009 6:05 PM

I went to the City hall and said I want to do Dutch course ,my husband is also doing it. They said I won't be able to do as I have visa only for a year ...I will get 5 years visa in 3 months ..how pathetic..they are forcing people who don't want to do and not giving opportunity to one who wants to do....what a joke...

By rp | December 8, 2009 9:57 AM