Trade Union Policies regarding Immigration and Immigrant Workers in the Netherlands (1960-95)

Abstract

Explores official trade union policies, factual behavior, & justifications for divergences concerning immigration & immigrant workers in the Netherlands, 1960-1995. Foreign laborers were accepted by trade unions until their number increased & a recession slowed the economy in 1967. Since trade unions participated in national socioeconomic decision making, they were able to enact a three-part strategy to discourage immigration: pressing employers to provide housing & equal pay for immigrants in order to make them less competitive in the labor market, creating restrictive immigration policies, & encouraging return migration. When these strategies proved ineffective, labor unions encouraged immigrant integration within Dutch society & membership in trade union organizations. Unions worked to improve immigrant social positions provide good housing & education, & oppose racism & right-wing extremism. Inclusion in the labor market & in trade union employment, however, was resisted. 39 References. L. A. Hoffman