Policy Options for Labour Market Challenges in Amsterdam and Other Dutch Cities
Labour markets across the Netherlands recovered quickly from the COVID-19 shock and Dutch cities are now facing an unprecedented level of labour market tightness. The high demand for workers presents a unique opportunity for Dutch municipalities to find pathways into employment for those with the lowest labour market attachment and alleviate the pressure faced by local employers that struggle to find suitable workers. Supporting the diverse population in Dutch cities in finding their way into the labour market requires the efficient use of existing labour market instruments, advancing innovative methods of skills-based job matching and improving the cooperation between national, regional and local labour market institutions. This OECD report analyses current and future bottlenecks that could hamper the effective provision of local labour market services. It highlights policy options for strengthening the capacity of municipalities to support different population groups in making the transition from social welfare recipients to workers.
Foreword
Although unemployment rose to 6.5% in the Netherlands in the wake of the COVID-19 shock, the labour market quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels. Amsterdam and the Netherlands are now facing an unprecedented level of labour market tightness. In the first quarter of 2022, 19 of the 35 regions in the Netherlands reported more than four job vacancies for every short-term unemployed. Amsterdam experienced an even larger shortage of workers with only one short-term unemployed worker available for every six job openings.
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