In the Netherlands, they decided to force working Ukrainian refugees to pay for utilities

The introduction of this method will help the country’s economy

Ukrainian refugees who have jobs should contribute to the Dutch economy. This proposal was submitted for discussion in the House of Representatives by the outgoing Secretary of State for Asylum, Eric van der Burg. It turned out that an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives could support such a decision.

Secretary of State Eric van der Burg proposed that working refugees pay for part of the assistance the state provides them. The House of Representatives will again discuss policy regarding Ukrainian refugees. More than half of them are employed, as it turned out earlier in 2024. This allows them to pay part of their living expenses themselves, which is the idea of ​​the Secretary of State and the majority of the House of Representatives.

According to the plan, municipalities are required to write off living expenses of several hundred euros per month for working Ukrainians.

In mid-February, more than 107 thousand Ukrainians were registered in the Netherlands. Municipalities, for example, accommodate about 90 thousand people from this group in gyms.

Various parties in the House of Representatives – from the Freedom Party to the Green Left-Labour Party – believe that working Ukrainians should do their part to provide them with housing. But they disagreed about the method.

In a statement to the House of Representatives, Secretary of State Eric van der Burg says he has developed a scheme under which working Ukrainian adults would pay 105 euros per person for gas, water and electricity in the short term. On top of this, those not receiving food benefits must pay €242.48 per adult per month.

During the debate, the possibility of asking for rent was also highlighted, but according to Van der Burg, this is too difficult, among other things, because refugees can then obtain rental rights.

There will also be no insurance obligations under the Health Insurance Act, as this is not feasible, according to Eric van der Burg. Thus, a significant proportion of Ukrainian refugees will be entitled to care benefits.

“The financial benefit from the insurance obligation is too small,” says the Secretary of State.