"Netherlands: "Polish still first choice in horticultural sector"

Horticultural companies in the Netherlands prefer the efforts of Polish labour immigrants above those of the long time unemployed. This is clear from research by Holland Contracting, a specialist in placing Polish immigrant labour with market gardeners in the Netherlands. When asked about the deciding factors more than a third of them (37%) said to prefer Poland because of the work mentality. Other factors, which are part of this, are productivity (21%), flexibility (21%) and reliability (21%).

The government stimulate long term unemployed to work in horticulture. It is expected that as a result part of this group will be employed in the horticultural sector. Because of the productivity of Poland in general being higher and they are often more flexible about the hours worked, the horticultural sector sticks to employing labour immigrants. In addition the market gardeners mention that the knowledge of the labour immigrants about the work to be done gives them a head start over the long time unemployed.

Volker van Vuurde, director of Holland Contracting: “The positive experiences the horticulturists have with labour immigrants are the reason that they do not immediately see the long time unemployed as possible replacements for doing the work. Contrary to the group of persons entitled to benefits the labour immigrants voluntarily choose to work in horticulture, with the result that they are highly motivated. Also the labour immigrants offer the flexibility horticulturists need. Together these factors result in a higher productivity. In a market with prices under pressure this is of the utmost importance."

For more information:
Volker van Vuurde
Holland Contracting
14, Coldenhovelaan
2678 PS De Lier
Tel: 0031 174-518695
Fax: 0031 174-510748
www.holland-contracting.nl