Iranian university students in the Netherlands are asking the Dutch government to relax rules that would allow them to work more hours and to provide some financial help because they can no longer access money from home since the US bombing began.

Over 700 have since signed a petition asking the Dutch authorities for help as a temporary measure because they have been “caught in a crisis beyond their control”. Some 1,100 Iranian students are currently in the Netherlands.

“Ten to 12 days into the conflict, they bombed the courthouse behind my parent’s house,” says Armin Taherioun (26), who moved to the Netherlands two years ago to study business innovation at the Inholland college in Amsterdam.

“We students try to keep up appearances that we’re fine. But internally, we’re not doing well. We’re all cut off from communicating with our families.”

Iran has had a near total internet blackout since the US and Israel began bombing the country at the end of February, making the only possible communication with family back home phone calls – limited, expensive and very short. In addition, says Taherioun, students have been cut off from their family’s financial support and even from their own assets.

“I never thought it would make it this far,” he says of the 700-plus people who signed his petition. “I was aiming for 100-150 signatures max, since no one talks about their situation openly. Now I feel more responsible, and hopefully I can use it to put some pressure on policy makers to land our demands.”

Restrictions

Taherioun has sent his petition to three ministries: social affairs, education and justice. One of his demands is a relaxation of the 16-hour work week limit (a TWV permit) imposed on international students, which he says means they can no  longer earn enough to cover basic living costs.

“Nine in 10 of companies don’t hire you anyway because it’s too much paperwork for too little time,” he says. “The Ukrainians had the same restrictions, but since the war there, the limit has been lifted, and they can work unlimited hours during their studies. Some universities have even dropped their tuition fees.”

Taherioun wants the same for Iranians. “Even free transport and help with housing and insurance would be a relief,” he says.

“We are aware of the petition,” says education ministry spokeswoman Lucy Frowijn. Some higher education institutions in the Netherlands have already dipped into their emergency funds to help support Iranian students, she said.

She advises students to start there while the government continues to monitor the situation. “The Dutch government has not considered national measures yet,” she says.

The ministry of social affairs and employment, which oversees work permits, says it hasn’t seen the petition, but the rules limiting international students’ work week are designed so they can complete their studies.

“International students with a residence permit to study here are required to pursue full-time studies,” says ministry spokesperson Thijn van Veghel. “That is why the rule applies that international students may only work 16 hours per week alongside their studies.”

In the meantime, Iranian students continue to struggle. “We’re studying hard to contribute to Dutch society but can’t even afford food and rent,” said one Amsterdam student.

Bombing continues

Arian, a classmate of Taherioun’s who comes from Tehran, says it’s distressing watching the city where his parents still live being bombed. “I’m not a political person,” he says, “and even I have nightmares.”

He describes a pattern of highs, two-minute phone calls with his parents, and lows, when there’s no contact, that’s hard to live with. “The whole process is really draining. I try to be optimistic, but it catches up to you. I don’t know what to do about it.”

Taherioun has gone from being happy that Iran’s leadership was targeted to being anxious over the escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure that have him thinking maybe the war was a mistake.

“We are a bit relieved, to be honest,” says Taherioun of the shaky two-week ceasefire currently in place. “But I believe it’s fishy and fragile. I will continue with the petition since nothing has changed.

“All we are asking the Netherlands — a country that rebuilt itself from the rubble of its own occupation — is to recognise the reality on the ground and allow us to legally sustain ourselves while we wait for a world that makes sense again.”