http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080515/netherlands_immigration.html?.v=1
Dutch has passed an immigration policy that seems discriminatory to rights groups. They require that they look at immigrants’ language and culture before they are allowed in. The tests cost $540 per try and they are also charged with monthly immigration fees. Gerda de Lange, a government spokeswoman, states that they only want people that understand the Dutch and know what to expect. However, the rights groups are saying that the Dutch are discriminatory to keep certain cultures out of their country. The test also is targeted at developing country immigrants mostly Turkey and Morocco. They don’t even test certain wealthier countries such as United States and Japan.
This relates to the immigration policy in Canada that was explained in the book. In Canada, we test immigrants for their ability to contribute to the economy. Immigrants may help the unemployment rate or it may worsen it depending on what immigrants come and where they settle. A good qualified worker may only be helpful to the economy if there is a job available and if they are will to work. Also, Canada tries to reunite families by immigration, while the Dutch are criticized for keeping families apart. Immigration, if used correctly, may reduce structural unemployment.
The Dutch are certainly using immigrants the wrong way. They are keeping people out because of their culture even if they are educated and ready to contribute. They seem like they don’t want immigrants unless they are very wealthy and smart from certain races. I am not sure if they don’t even consider certain people from developing countries, but it seems that way by the reactions of the rights groups. Gerda de Lange’s reasons are convincing, but it is hard to determine how exactly they evaluate immigrants and how much they weigh culture when evaluating them.
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The Dutch do appear somewhat discriminatory in their immigration policy. It may be that the Dutch have different values from Canadians, but they seem to lack good decision-making regarding the economy. Although certain educated individuals may possess skills that may be an asset to the Dutch economy, these people are being screened and rejected. I agree that immigrants should have something to offer the country they wish to enter and that it wouldn’t make much sense if someone moved into a country without knowing the language or the way the Dutch live. Perhaps the human resources department and Gerda de Lange have valid reasons as to denying these hopeful immigrants acceptance based on their immigration test, but since how the Dutch weigh each category (education, skills, culture, etc.) is not disclosed, I cannot really comment on that. However, the fact is unchanged that the issue of structural unemployment in Dutch could be addressed if these skilled individuals were allowed to settle in certain parts that are lacking workers from the labour force. I wonder how the Dutch would react if there was a serious shortage in their labour force – would they open their doors more welcomingly to immigrants regardless of their cultural differences or country of origin? Would they still be as stubborn? Or would their policies change in a time of desperation?
The Dutch are totally discriminating against other cultures. Even when they have something to offer, they are unjustifiably being rejected due to their cultural practices. This is the type of discrimination that is hated by society. I believe these immigrants should offer their potential value in other countries that could make use of their variety of skills. The way they also test based on which country you come from also disgusts me. A citizen from a developed country probably shouldn’t even go to a country that shuns out third-world immigrants. Everyone should have an equal chance at immigrating if they have an equal amount of skill and determination.
The Dutch’s immigration policy is quite similar to what happened in Canada around the 1920s when the Chinese were immigrating to Canada. This was a way to prevent more immigrants that didn’t benefit the economy from entering into the country. Now they are setting up tests, which immigrants must past and in addition to the test they will also need to pay monthly immigration fees. Like the rights groups are saying, the Dutch are discriminatory to keep certain cultures out of their country. The most unjustified part of the examination is they are only targeting developing country immigrants, instead of people across the globe. Looking at Canada’s immigration policy, I think we have a better way in dealing with immigrants than the Dutch. We test the immigrants for their ability to contribute to the economy. The result of this testing may decrease or increase the unemployment rate. In Canada families are reunited by immigration, but The Dutch are known for keep families apart.
Christin, I agree with you that the Dutch are certainly using immigrants the wrong way. Also, they are definitely discriminating certain immigrants because of their financial status and their race. I believe the Dutch weighs very heavily on the immigrant’s culture when they are evaluating them.
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