Pathways to Employment for Minorities - The Netherlands

Sources: MISEP and the Government of Netherlands

In June 2000 the government negotiated agreements with a number of large companies (beginning with 14 with plans to increase this number to a minimum of 100) on additional efforts to be made by these companies in the areas of intercultural management, inflow, transfer and retention of members of ethnic minorities. The arrangements set out in the framework agreement underlined the importance attached by all parties to labour market participation and integration of ethnic minorities. Intercultural management is an instrument for fleshing out the social dimension of Socially Responsible Enterprise.

It involves the optimum utilisation of the possibilities for cultural diversity in the workforce (with an inward focus) and an acknowledgement of the cultural diversity of the clients (the environment in which the company operates). The government facilitates the preparation and implementation of this framework agreement via the project organisation ‘Ruim Baan voor Minderheden’ (‘Pathways to Employment for Minorities’). The tasks of the project group are:

• to provide a platform for the exchange of best practices; product development;
• to implement innovative trial projects;
• to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks.

• internal integration programmes at six locations with 15 participants per location;
• instruction in the Dutch language in combination with training as a postman;
• appointment and training of mentors to supervise on the shop floor.

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