topics
tools
editor's choice

Religious services in English in the Netherlands

Maternity leave in the Netherlands

Expatica is seeking an editorial intern

Listing of international schools in the Netherlands

Guide to public transport in the Netherlands

Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2247.56 -1.02
DAX 6731.25 -0.85
IBEX 30 8840.3 -0.69
CAC 40 3404.24 -0.60
FTSE 100 5880.25 -0.26
AEX 322.68 -0.75
DJIA 12890.46 0.05
Nasdaq 2927.23 0.39
FTSE MIB 16603.88 -0.30
TSX Composite 12497.94 -0.18
ASX 4322.6 -0.79
Hang seng 20783.86 -1.08
Straits Times 2960 -0.71
ISEQ 20 501.27 -0.48
You are here: Home Education Higher Education Dutch youth organisations fear lost generation

Higher Education

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


14/03/2009Dutch youth organisations fear lost generation

Dutch youth organisations fear lost generation Crisis forces young people out of labour market.

A number of political youth organisations are appealing to the Dutch government to give youth unemployment top priority. Otherwise the youth branches of the Christian Democrats, the Christian Union, the Labour Party and the FNV trade union federation fear a "lost generation" as young people will be the first to feel the effects of the economic recession.

Youth and Family Minister André Rouvoet
In a plan entitled "Help young people through the crisis!" presented to Youth and Family Minister André Rouvoet, FNV Jong sets out its ideas for a new taskforce to tackle youth unemployment.

Emergency assistance
The plan advocates guaranteeing employment, training or both for young people out of work within six months to prevent young people from losing touch with the labour market. In addition, FNV Jong wants to see emergency assistance to help school leavers into further education and employment. It calls for school fees to be lowered and rights to student grants extended temporarily. Measures should also be taken to make it possible for young people to work their way up through the education system giving them the best possible qualifications to join the labour market. A number of years ago this possibility was scrapped to prevent young people remaining in the education system endlessly.

In a recommendation to the government coalition, the Young Christian Democrats, the Young Socialists and Perspectief - the Christian Union's youth organisation warns the coalition:

"Not to pass the budget deficit on to future generations."
Photo © FaceMePLS
Photo © FaceMePLS

Government pact
The political youth organisations are calling on the government coalition to settle its differences. The economic crisis has meant that the government pact made at the beginning of the coalition term is up for review. The government itself says:

"all conceivable ideas will be considered".

In the original coalition pact, the youth organisations feel:

"The government made too many compromises, making reforms impossible. Political limitations have to be removed, so that problems can be solved."

They want tax relief on mortgages to be scrapped, or at least drastically reformed. They also want changes made to dismissal laws to make the labour market a level playing field for both young and old.

Youth unemployment
Youth unemployment has been climbing since December 2008. Next year it is predicted to reach 17 percent. FNV Jong fears youth unemployment could reach similar levels to those seen in the 1980s. In addition a huge shortage of internships is threatening the prospects of those still in education.

The government is entering marathon talks on the economic crisis today. FNV Jong wants to see the coalition take "unorthodox measures" to curb the dramatic effects of the crisis on the generation of the future, as:

"Young people will be vital to the recovery of economy."

Nicola Chadwick
Radio Netherlands
Photo credits: FaceMePLS

rnw


 


1 reaction to this article

Francesco Sinibaldi posted: 2009-03-17 17:39:38

Une couronne de laurier.

Les amples
espaces de
lumière intense
donnent un
soleil qui rappelle
la poésie, avec
sons perpétuels
où la paix du
silence invite
a mourir.

Francesco Sinibaldi

Add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


1 reaction to this article

Francesco Sinibaldi posted: 2009-03-17 17:39:38

Une couronne de laurier.

Les amples
espaces de
lumière intense
donnent un
soleil qui rappelle
la poésie, avec
sons perpétuels
où la paix du
silence invite
a mourir.

Francesco Sinibaldi

Add a comment
Education essentials
Education expert Q&A
ask your question
Education A-Z listings
find the business you need
Discussion Forums

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

KM -> PR -> Citizenship

Netherlands Soapbox

"No, that's not possible."

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

"Non-EU-Spouse" of "Recently-Naturalised-Dutch National"

Indians in the Netherlands

Moving to amsterdam .........

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Problem with Internet Provider

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Setting up home in the Netherlands

Setting up home in the Netherlands

A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2012.

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

Expatica offers a whistle-stop tour of life in the modern Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.