On Friday, March 22, research agency SEO Economic Research published the report 'More work opportunities for asylum seekers – social cost-benefit analysis in broad terms'. Refugee Talent Hub was one of the clients; In this blog I look back on the past week and the reason for this research.

Please note: this article was translated using a translator app

Last Friday, the report 'More work opportunities for asylum seekers' was published by research agency SEO Economic Research. It was the result of a thorough study into the social costs and benefits of broader work opportunities for people who are in the asylum procedure in the Netherlands.

 As one of the clients of this study, we look back on the past week with pride and satisfaction. Together with Refugee Connect, Ben & Jerry's, Microsoft, Ikea, Mpeople, Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland and Untapped Talents, Refugee Talent Hub was involved in this research from the start. We read the assignment formulation and interim versions of the research, shared knowledge and experience and were one of the co-financiers.

 No-brainer… or not?

 Actually, the main question seemed like a no-brainer to us: of course it is good for the Netherlands, for employers and for refugee people if they are allowed to work quickly and without restrictions. Because work means so much more than making money. Work provides structure, social contacts, promotes language skills and ensures that you belong. So when people go to work, they benefit a lot. In addition, companies with a diverse workforce are demonstrably more successful and future-proof. It represents economic value – and so society as a whole is better off. And the icing on the cake is that the government spends less money on benefits.

 In short, we see the benefits, and they are so obvious that it seems unlikely to me that others do not see them. But: do we at Refugee Talent Hub have a blind spot? Are we missing information? Do the costs actually outweigh the benefits?

 That is why it is nice that this research is now available. Because what seemed logical to us has now been substantiated in fact and figures: the social benefits are enormous. Both qualitatively and quantitatively. And they far outweigh the costs. So you can't really ignore it anymore.

 Picked up everywhere

 The publicity surrounding this report was enormous. Attention was paid to it in these media, among others:

NRC , Volkskrant , Nederlands Dagblad , Hart van Nederland , BNR , Noord Hollands Dagblad , Algemeen Dagblad , Trouw , BNR (II) , BNNVARA , Domestic Governance , Welingelichte Kringen , Nieuws.nl .

 Additional advantage: it is about asylum seekers as potential employees, about people with talent and a profession, about people who want to contribute. So it is about people like us who we encounter every day in our work, but about whom the public image is often different (and less positive). And this research does something other than presenting facts and figures: it slightly adjusts the unjustified negative frame surrounding refugees in the Netherlands.

 A small step, but still: a great step. And every journey starts with a single step, all big dreams start small.

 Dream along

 And that is a nice bridge. Because on June 20 we will again organize our annual public event about Newcomers & Work. This year's theme is 'Big dreams start small'. We have big dreams and practical plans; sky-high ambitions and concrete actions. We would like to share this with you and we invite you to dream – and do. Dream about the future with us, be inspired and take action. Because we can start taking small steps now. Then those big dreams will automatically come closer.

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