Netherlands: Less immigrants remigrating

Guest workers and refugees stay more and more in the Netherlands instead of going back to their land of origin. Health-care, welfare and family connection in the Netherlands prevent them from moving back.

The Netherlands Immigration Institute (NMI) guided 1725 immigrants last year back to their land of origin. Down from 1840 in 2006 and 2139 in 2004.. Most are above 45. Though less immigrants actually do so, the wish to leave is growing stronger. The number of people who seriously considered going back went up from 10,540 to 12,210. There are also more requests from minority organizations to hold informational gatherings, for Moroccans, Spaniards, Iraqis, Surinamese and Portuguese. Turks are an exception and there is an increase in the number of returnees.

The NMI is one of the executors of the remigration law that regulates the return of guest workers and refugees since 1985. Intensive talks are conducted in order to prevent rash decisions., a special welfare payment is give out of about half the Dutch welfare payments, and the NMI organizes compensation for moving expenses.

According to NMI manager Ínanç Kutluer the increase in wanting to move comes from the prevailing social climate: People have the feeling more and more that they are not welcome anymore in the Netherlands. They also hear that in the land of origin, Turkey for example, it's economically getting better.

In the end the reasons to stay are more powerful. Kutluer: The guest workers are getting older and more dependent on care. They know that the care in the Netherlands is good. And the welfare that they get in their land of origin is often not enough to live on.

Another very important reason not to leave is leaving the children and grandchildren behind. More than that, the law had been changed recently and people on welfare may stay only up to 6 months abroad.

Last year minister Verdonk wanted to discuss the entire remigration law and economize. The return of immigrants and the expenses saved on welfare and health-care seem to exceed the costs of the regulation.

Source: Telegraaf (Dutch)