The EU has activated the Temporary Protection Directive. As a result, people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine receive protection within the EU. They can apply for a residence permit and gain access to education and the labour market. This means Ukrainians do not need to apply for asylum in order to stay in the Netherlands.
The practical implications of the directive still need to be worked out further. Until then, a work permit is still required to employ Ukrainians. Currently, Ukrainians may only work in the Netherlands if their employer holds a work permit. The application procedure for this can take a long time.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment intends to temporarily widen labour-market access for Ukrainians in the short term, by introducing an exemption from the work-permit requirement. A notification duty will still apply. The aim is for this exemption to take effect on 1 April 2022. Access to childcare, and any potential bottlenecks in that area, is also being examined in this context.
As soon as more information is available, it will be published on the IND website.
For the letter to parliament of 17 March 2022, click here (in Dutch).
