Dutch builders urge uniform national rules for hiring hard-to-place workers

Dutch contractors say they are running into a patchwork of local rules when trying to employ people who have difficulty finding work independently on government construction projects.

In many public tenders, authorities require companies to include social goals, such as work experience placements for people who are distant from the labor market. Contractors say municipalities apply different standards and administrative requirements, which create practical problems and extra paperwork. This is based on feedback collected in a sector-wide round among construction firms, according to the FD.

Bouwend Nederland, Techniek Nederland, and several other sector organizations will present recommendations to Thierry Aartsen of Work and Participation later this month. The groups are calling for uniform national rules and less paperwork.

The construction sector says clearer and more consistent rules would make it easier to employ people who struggle to access the labor market through public projects.