Fixing Labour Shortages: A Lawful, Human Solution

The Untapped Solution to the Dutch Labour Shortage: Embracing International Students and Refugees

By Sir Solomon Osei Poku
Founder & Managing Director, International Students Employment Facilitation Agency (ISEFA B.V.)

The Labour Shortage No One is Talking About
Across the Netherlands, employers are facing an urgent and growing challenge: there aren’t enough workers to fill job vacancies. According to recent figures from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), for every 100 unemployed people, there are now 108 open job positions. This gap is stifling economic growth, delaying services, and placing essential sectors, such as healthcare, construction, and engineering, under tremendous pressure.

Yet, there’s an untapped solution hiding in plain sight: non-EU/EEA international students, refugee students, and asylum seekers who are ready, willing, and capable of working—if only we would let them.

 
The Problem: Legal Barriers and Missed Opportunities
While these individuals bring valuable skills, motivation, and fresh perspectives, they often find themselves excluded from the Dutch labour market. Why? Because the system is full of complex legal procedures and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

One of the biggest hurdles is the tewerkstellingsvergunning (TWV)—the work permit required for non-EU/EEA students and asylum seekers to work in the Netherlands. Many employers either don’t understand the process, see it as too much paperwork, or are simply afraid of making costly compliance mistakes. As a result, they steer clear, and an entire group of potential workers remains sidelined.

At the same time, we cannot keep asking the existing workforce to work longer hours. The DNB has made it clear: the old solutions are no longer enough. We need new thinking. We need new people.

 
The Solution: Making the System Work for Everyone
This is where ISEFA B.V. steps in.

Our mission is to make it easy, legal, and risk-free for Dutch businesses to hire international students, refugee students, and asylum seekers. Through our Employer of Record (EoR) model, we take care of everything:

We handle all employment contracts.
We process social security and tax obligations.
We manage the entire TWV work permit application.
Employers no longer have to worry about paperwork or legal risks. We carry that burden, so they can focus on what matters—getting the right talent in place.

 
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
This is not just about filling vacancies. It’s about redefining who belongs in the Dutch labour market.

By creating lawful, accessible employment pathways for international students and refugees:

🏗️ We strengthen the Dutch economy by easing structural labour shortages.
🌍 We promote social inclusion by giving people a fair chance to contribute.
🤝 We build diverse workplaces that reflect the global society we live in.
💼 We challenge systemic barriers that prevent talented people from working.
At ISEFA B.V., we believe that bureaucracy should not be the reason why someone cannot contribute to society.

 
A Call to Employers, Policymakers, and Society
The solution to the Dutch labour shortage may not lie in waiting for long-term demographic shifts or pressuring current workers to take on more hours. The solution may already be here—walking our streets, studying in our classrooms, and contributing in other ways—if only we make it easier for them to work.

👉 Employers: Let’s rethink who we see as potential employees. Open your doors to this lawful, motivated, and skilled workforce.

👉 Policymakers: Let’s simplify the legal pathways and encourage practical, inclusive hiring solutions.

👉 Society: Let’s move beyond fear and misunderstanding. Let’s embrace the value of these hidden contributors. Let’s Build the Future Together
If you are an employer looking for a risk-free, lawful way to hire international students or refugees, ISEFA B.V. is here to help.

📧 Contact us at: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.isefa.nl

Let’s not allow bureaucracy to hold us back. Let’s unlock the potential that’s already here.

 
About the Author
Sir Solomon Osei Poku is the Founder and Managing Director of ISEFA B.V., a social enterprise dedicated to creating lawful and dignified employment pathways for international students, refugees, and asylum seekers in the Netherlands.