After running surveys on quality of life and healthcare, the Share My Voice organisation is now turning to the field of work, with its third survey. Participate and fill out the survey here.

The new survey will focus on international workers views on training and education at work and on their wishes and opportunities for further developing their careers. The aim, the organisers say, is to ‘improve the employment conditions and quality of life for labour migrants in the Netherlands’.

‘We want to know what people want in terms of education and training – such as language courses,’ says spokesman Lars Hennissen. ‘How do they view their future in the Netherlands in terms of their career, and what can employers do to make it more attractive for foreign workers to stay?’

Share My Voice is an initiative set up by a wide variety of Dutch organisations to give a voice to the international community in the Netherlands by finding out more about the issues that matter to them.

Crucial role

The panel is part of the Kenniscentrum Arbeidsmigranten – or migrant labour expertise centre –  which aims to make companies, politicians and the general population more aware of the crucial role foreign workers have in the Dutch economy, and to maintain a database of research which is available to everyone.

The first project focused on quality of life and found a high level of unhappiness among lower skilled immigrants about both housing and job satisfaction and found 74% of all international workers would like to have more contact with Dutch people.

The second survey looked at the issue of healthcare, and health and safety at work, and found that low-skilled workers were often unaware of the rules to keep safe on the job. ‘What really surprised us in the second survey was the lack of health and safety facilities and information for international workers,’ says Hennissen. ‘They often work under considerable stress and in unsafe situations.’

Employers

The results of the first two surveys have already been shared widely with employers, national and local government and other organisations.

The recommendations are also being incorporated into a formal report for the next government drawn up by a special committee on migrant labour, headed by former Socialist party leader Emile Roemer.

‘We really hope as many people as possible will sign up for the survey,’ says Hennissen. ‘The more people who take part, the more influence the results will have.’

To take part in the survey, follow the link to www.sharemyvoice.nl.