by Liesbeth de Bakker

03-03-2005

Illegal immigrants from Africa sleeping on the floor in an Amsterdam dormitory

Life has become increasingly tough for those without the right papers in the Netherlands. Economic recession and strict government policies aimed at stamping out clandestine work are hitting the illegal population hard. Critics warn the government crackdown is set to fail and may even backfire as it drives illegal immigrants into the arms of criminals.

Illegal residence and illegal immigration became an issue in the Netherlands in the early 1990s. People began to realise that a large number of immigrant workers - both legal and illegal - were here to stay. They weren't going back to their country of origin. This sparked fears for the labour market and the social and public services. Gradually, immigration came to be perceived as a problem for the Netherlands, says Joanne van der Leun, assistant Professor of Criminology at the University of Leiden.

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Click to listen to the documentary "Faceless" about illegal immigrants

"At first, people were seen as spontaneous labourers and now they are more and more perceived as people who breach the laws and are also associated with crime."

Crackdown

But it wasn't until the economic recession of the late 1990s that the Dutch government moved to confront the problem. The Hague opted for a tough approach to stamp out black labour, says Dr van der Leun.

"About 10 years ago, illegal immigrants would go to the city hall and register. They would get a social and fiscal number and no one would be interested in the fact that they were not allowed to stay in the country. Then, with the social and fiscal number they could go to employers and be more or less legally employed."

Joanne van der Leun

This situation has changed radically. New regulations now make it almost impossible to employ illegal immigrants. Companies are regularly checked and the fines are hefty. The strict measures have just about closed off the official labour market to illegals.

No black work

"It takes the grace of God to survive now." Festus from Nigeria, who came to the Netherlands about seven years ago, is one of the estimated 100,000 to 150,000 illegal immigrants who try to carve out a living in the Netherlands. They make up about seven percent of the total immigrant community, an average percentage when compared to other countries.

Over the years, Festus has seen a blossoming illegal labour market change to one that's virtually non-existent. "No jobs, so what do you do? You are forced to do what you don't want to do."

Crime problem

Festus hints at a common problem for illegal residents. They're fearful that one day they'll be so desperate they'll be easy prey for criminals, something Joanne van der Leun is warning against.

"There are more and more links with crime in those circuits as a side-effect of stricter government policies."

Tom Marfo

Tom Marfo, a Ghanaian priest who works with immigrants in the Amsterdam suburbs, sees it happening in his own neighbourhood, where dealers give 10-euro notes to beggars. After a while, they rope them into the drugs trade by offering them 10,000 euros to become a drugs Courier New.

"Man by instinct will always find a way to survive [...] and the only means left to these people now is a life of criminality. So, who loses? The entire society."

In vain

Both Mr Marfo and Dr van der Leun stress that alternatives to the government's tough approach do exist. There is great demand for cheap and flexible labour in the Netherlands and there are many jobs which the native Dutch don't want to do.

"Labour is very expensive in the Netherlands," explains Joanne van der Leun. "It's highly taxed, so many employers, especially in the lower-paid segments of the labour market, are looking for ways to produce more cheaply."

A Polish satellite dish hidden away at the back of a Dutch house - a sign of illegal Polish workers?

Besides, argues Tom Marfo, as long as there's wealth in the West and poverty elsewhere, immigrants will continue to come to Europe in search of a better life.

"Human beings are cleverer than machines, than gadgets and definitely more powerful than the law. So, people will continue to come unless the injustice that is the underlying factor of the movement is addressed."

Change of status

Both critics are calling for a system of flexible temporary working permits, to be renewed on the basis of 'good behaviour' and work results. The final aim should be a permanent legal residence permit for those who want to stay on, says Tom Marfo.

"If people are working well and paying tax and looking after their family, then on the basis of their work they should be given a final status. A first phase of three years, and then if they do well, another two years, and then they can be considered for a permanent permit and that will be good for the nation and good for the people concerned."