This session from 3.35pm-3.55pm on Sunday 14 March 2021 will present the findings of a recent survey about the impact of Covid on the International Community in The Netherlands.
The panel will be conducted by:
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Almost a quarter of international workers in The Hague who took part in a new survey on the impact of coronavirus on their lives say they had considered leaving the Netherlands last year.
However, despite reports in the Dutch media that expats are leaving in droves, 62% of those polled said they were not aware of any international workers who had left the Netherlands because of coronavirus, while 38% were aware of at least one other person or family who had done so.
In total, 2,350 people from 104 different countries took part in the survey, which was carried out in November and December. Some 400 were living in The Hague region.
In total, 62% of The Hague respondents are worried about the impact of coronavirus on their household income, compared with 65% of total respondents and 70% of respondents living in Amsterdam.
And just 16% of respondents in The Hague said coronavirus was not having an impact on their mental health.
This is something to keep an eye on, in particular those who are unsure where to turn for help, said ICAP board member Deborah Valentine. ‘Just 2% of people reported having help from their employers, and this is something which HR departments could take on board.’
Missing friends and family in other countries has also been a major issue, given the disruption to international travel since the start of the pandemic. And over a quarter say they are very worried about friends and family back home.
‘It is really difficult to be away from family. Being unable to travel is what is bothering me most. Work is depressing as all my colleagues are in the same position so morale and mental health is a problem,’ one expat in The Hague said.
New arrivals are also finding it more difficult. ‘Coronavirus has drastically slow down our integration into Dutch society as it is more difficult to socialise, practice Dutch and build up our network outside the expat community,’ one respondent in The Hague said.
