Social affairs minister Henk Kamp is preparing new legislation which will require people claiming welfare benefits to, if necessary, move home to find a job, the Volkskrant reports on Saturday.

In an interview with the paper, Kamp says the unemploymed must not only speak Dutch, but must also be prepared to travel or even move house to get a job.
While people on unemployment benefits (ww) are already required to move if work is available elsewhere, sanctions are rarely enforced, the paper says. People on welfare (bijstand) do not currently have to travel to find work.
Enough jobs
Kamp told the paper there is enough work available for most people on benefits.
‘We have half a million people under the age of 65 who get benefits but are able to work,’ he said. ‘We have 300,000 people from other EU countries who fill jobs here and we have 100,000 vacancies. So there is plenty of work.’
The unemployed must make an effort to find work, the minister said. ‘If you can find a job close to home, all well and good. And if you have to travel a bit, that’s also fine. But if you need to move home, then you must do that as well or lose your benefits.’