Immigration and its Effects on Existing Culture: Case Study – The Netherlands

Case Study: Immigration in the Netherlands

Ref: The Dutch Migration U-Turn

—The Netherlands was seen as the model of multi-culturalism in Europe for decades. In the 1960s, permanent immigrants arrived from former Dutch colonies (primarily Indonesia and Suriname). In the 1980s, temporary workers were invited from Mediterranean countries with lower levels of employment (such as Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Morocco). While some European countries tried to reduce immigration, the Netherlands welcomed them to work and set up their own religious and educational institutions, providing them with subsidized housing, education, and health care.

—By the 1990s, the Dutch started to feel cultural and economic pressures from their open immigration policy, which was heightened by temporary workers staying and bringing in their families. In the 2000s, government policy started to reverse so that immigrants had to pass an Integration Exam, testing their knowledge of Dutch society and proficiency in the Dutch language.

—There is no general consensus today on immigrant policy among the Dutch people, but the number of immigrants in their country has doubled in the last decade and right-wing politicians who support tougher measures are becoming more popular.