Numerous overseas workers in the Netherlands claim that discrimination is an issue
According to ICAP board member Deborah Valentine, "when we looked at people's firsthand experiences, we discovered that many connected explicitly to people's backgrounds, with many indicating they had heard the phrase "go back to your own country" or had to cope with racial remarks and stereotypes.
Even though English was the company's primary language, many people believed that they were denied employment or were passed over for promotions simply because they were not Dutch or did not speak Dutch. One person complained, "There is a stereotype that because I am Polish, I must be uneducated.
"I've been questioned about if my husband saved me from the jungle. Another person remarked, "I've been asked whether I'm the nanny of my own kids merely because they have blonde hair." Numerous respondents also claimed that because they were foreigners, service providers treated them differently and charged them more money. One Amsterdam resident said, "The 'only Dutch' housing ads are a concern because rent prices are often higher for expats." However, the study responses also reveal that foreign workers are eager to explore their new nation. More than four out of five have spent a weekend away in another part of the Netherlands, 72% have studied Dutch, and 53% possess a Museumkaart.
When asked what they thought was crucial to making people feel at home, 70% of respondents indicated having friendly neighbors. 67% of respondents named knowing where to turn for assistance with problems, while 61% said speaking Dutch and 60% mentioned having Dutch friends. While about 44% of respondents felt reasonably or extremely at home in the Netherlands, and 60% stated they have no plans to leave, just over a quarter of respondents indicated they did not feel at home there.
Newspaper headlines frequently imply that expats are wealthy, send their kids to international schools, and depart after a few years, but Valentine's study continually disproves this. There are many myths regarding the global society, and the notion that all foreign workers receive significant tax savings and will depart after a few years is wholly out of date.
