Report by the Netherlands Court of Audit on the Integration Act

The Netherlands Court of Audit has concluded in a report on the Integration Act that refugees with residence status (statushouders) are struggling to find employment due to long procedures and language barriers.

The Court of Audit calls on the Ministry of Social Affairs to clearly define the goals of integration and develop policies based on those objectives. According to the report, lengthy asylum procedures and a shortage of housing make it harder for refugees to find jobs. Additionally, mandatory language lessons are seen as an obstacle, and there is a shortage of language teachers.

The report also highlights that statusholders are having limited success in finding work in sectors with a significant shortage of workers, such as construction, healthcare, and technology. Instead, they are primarily employed in hospitality, retail, through temp agencies, or as delivery drivers. The Court of Audit further calls for better registration of the education and work experience of asylum seekers arriving in the Netherlands.