The Moerdijk Port and Industrial Area has served as a vibrant economic hub for many years, where various sectors, ranging from process industry and logistics to high-tech manufacturing, rely heavily on migrant workers. Due to demographic aging and the persistent tightness in the labor market, the demand for foreign professionals continues to rise. At the same time, we see numerous initiatives related to support, housing, language education, and integration operating in a fragmented manner. Parties are not always able to connect, leading to overlap and unintended blind spots in the support chain. Without a coordinated approach, migrants risk not experiencing the structural stability necessary to truly integrate into the local community. Therefore, it is now urgent to break through this fragmentation and establish sustainable collaboration.
During the meeting, it became clear that there is a need for a central hub for knowledge sharing. A (digital) point where employment agencies, educational institutions, and municipal departments can easily find each other. Such a hub would clearly bring together all relevant information, from housing options and language courses to legal frameworks and integration projects, so that information no longer remains fragmented and organizations can work together.
For example, employers cannot oversee what housing options are available, while migrants themselves do not always know how to contact the right authorities to start the integration process or to ask questions about work permits.
By introducing such a (digital) hub, we can combat fragmentation and quickly identify bottlenecks. As soon as a business sees on the platform that there's space in a new residential complex under construction, or that a language course is starting at Curio, they can immediately respond. The NXT Moerdijk network aims to be that central link. No longer do people have to rely on emails and individual meetings; they can see at a glance which parties are active, which projects they propose, and who to contact for specific expertise.
Several speakers shared valuable insights during the afternoon. Martin Rijk of UWV EURES emphasized the importance of considering cultural differences and the expectations of migrants from the initial recruitment process in the country of origin. By communicating clearly early on about employment conditions, housing, and facilities, fewer misunderstandings arise after arrival and the onboarding process runs more smoothly.
Peter Loef of ABU then explained how working with a temporary employment agency works and what to look out for. He highlighted the benefits of working with an agency for this target group, as well as what to be aware of. Everyone should make agreements early on regarding employment conditions, social benefits, and the integration of migrants into the company culture. This prevents migrants from facing uncertainties later on, which often leads to turnover or dissatisfaction. Furthermore, by jointly establishing agreements, a level of continuity is created that is invaluable for both employers and employees.
Another contribution came from Dorothea Lewandowska, who shared her personal story. She illustrated how migrant workers don't just come to the Netherlands to find work, but also long for regular working hours, a place to live where the whole family can be together, and opportunities to actively participate in the local community. Her desire to celebrate King's Day while simultaneously learning Dutch underscores that migrants don't simply function as labor reserves, but as families with social and cultural ambitions. This story brought home to many attendees that housing, social cohesion, and continuing education must go hand in hand.
Work in NL explained how they serve as a support service for migrant workers. They explain how they guide this group through the laws and regulations and how they refer them to the appropriate agencies.
Finally, Maud van der Lee of the municipality of Moerdijk explained the policy and how the local government collaborates with businesses to create high-quality housing for migrant workers. By working together, it's possible to address shortages and implement innovative housing concepts, such as temporary housing complexes.
While there was a great deal of energy, recurring dilemmas also arose. Firstly, it appears that parties don't always know how to connect, resulting in missed opportunities. Employers lack an overview of new residential complexes and possibilities, while staff housing agencies don't know which companies are seeking joint housing solutions.
A second challenge concerns the housing market; there is simply too little affordable housing for migrant families. Municipalities, housing corporations, and businesses must collaborate more closely to develop innovative solutions. This involves not only the physical creation of housing units, but also their integration into existing neighborhoods, so that migrants don't become isolated.
Thirdly, the issue of language and cultural integration plays a role. While language education is essential, speaking the correct language isn't a panacea for all differences. Migrants primarily need security, regular schedules, and social connection. Only when these preconditions are met will there be room for language lessons and further development. These insights emphasize that we need to facilitate more than just organizing courses; we must instead consider the combination of housing, employment, and social participation.
In addition, a working group "Sustainable Deployment of Migrant Workers" has been established within NXT Moerdijk. This working group brings together the government, various employment agencies, and businesses. They are exploring opportunities for collaboration in the areas of housing, collaboration with employment agencies, recruitment & selection, communication, and transportation.
Another concrete idea that emerged was the joint purchase of language courses. By bringing migrants from different employers together in a single language group, we reduce the cost per course and simultaneously foster social connections among participants. This strengthens both cohesion within the migrant community and integration into the broader Moerdijk community.
Based on the meeting, the following actions were determined: To begin, we will collect all completed questionnaires and minutes of the group discussions. This input will be incorporated into a report with a Top 5 Priorities list, which we will present during the follow-up session in July. This document will serve as a guide for future projects.
In addition, the "Sustainable Employment of Migrant Workers" working group will meet for the first time in September. Throughout the summer, this working group will focus on the prioritized themes: affordable housing, collaboration with uzb, language skills/communication, recruitment and selection, and transportation.
Once the working group has drawn up its work agenda, the plans will be shared with all stakeholders: employers, educational institutions, housing providers and social organizations.
Does your organization need collaboration in the areas of housing, language education, integration, or occupational health and safety and personnel policy? Then complete the questionnaire via nxtmoerdijk.nl/vragenlijst-samen-werken-aan-een-toekomstbestendige-inzet-van-arbeidsmigrantenWould you rather meet directly or join the working group? Then send an email to nxt@moerdijk.nl. We'd be happy to schedule a meeting to discuss how your organization can contribute to an inclusive and sustainable labor market in Moerdijk.
Together, we are taking steps to ensure that migrant workers are not just temporary workers, but full-fledged participants in a vibrant, socially and economically strong region. This is the essence of sustainable collaboration in Moerdijk.
