The number of migrants from Central and Eastern Europe in the Netherlands has shown a significant increase since people from these countries were granted work permits in 2004. In this study, FORUM gives a picture of migrants from the three Baltic states − Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania − as a follow-up to our studies on Poles and Romanians in the Netherlands in 2009 and 2011 respectively.
The exact number of immigrants from the Baltic states is unknown. On 1 January 2011, there were 665 Estonians, 1,885 Latvians and 2,708 Lithuanians officially residing in the Netherlands: “officially” means that they are registered in the municipal personal records database. In addition, there are a large number of people from the Baltic states working in the Netherlands (and who are residing here on a temporary or a permanent basis). Since citizens of the Baltic states do not have to apply for a work permit, many of them are not officially registered anywhere. The official figures are probably merely an indication of the actual extent of the migration from the Baltics, and temporary labour migration in particular is greatly underestimated.
The FORUM survey shows that the unfavourable economic situation, which has worsened in recent years as a result of the crisis, is an important reason for Baltic people to leave their countries. Important push factors in this respect are a high unemployment rate, debts, a lack of prospects for the future, and the fact that employers do not treat their employees well.
Although Baltic emigrants are often young and poorly educated, an increasing number of highly-qualified people have been leaving Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania during the past years. However, they often perform low-skilled work in the country of destination. In addition, young people want to study and make a new life for themselves in the ‘old’ European countries. Besides temporary and permanent labour migration, human trafficking also takes place. After migrating to a country where they expected to find a decent job, women are forced to work as prostitutes there.
Migrants from the Baltic states do not specifically focus on the Netherlands: the United Kingdom is the most popular destination. If they do decide to go to the Netherlands, this is due to the availability of jobs here. Furthermore, chain migration is meanwhile taking place on a small scale. In view of the unfavourable economic developments in the countries of origin, return migration for people other than seasonal workers does not seem to be a realistic option. A number of temporary employment agencies concentrate on recruiting emigrants from the Baltic states on the spot for the Dutch employment market. Most of the work in question concerns low-paid jobs below the workers’ educational level.
In the first instance, accommodation for Baltic labour migrants is arranged by their employers or the employment agencies. Employees who reside in the Netherlands for a longer period of time and who may have relatives here, often rent or buy a home themselves. Generally speaking, accommodation is cramped and expensive. Many Baltic people live in the province of Noord-Brabant and the four major cities. Baltic migrants name accommodation as one of their biggest problems.
Although many employees from the Baltic states would like to learn Dutch, they do not have sufficient information on the available options. Members of this group in the Netherlands primarily communicate through social networks on the Internet. In addition, a number of self-help organisations exist which mainly concern themselves with cultural activities. Important meeting places are Russian shops in the major cities.
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