Regularisation
What is regularisation through work?
Regularisation through work means that people without a residence permit can obtain a residence permit by working under a contract. Their labour is recognised, which gives them access to basic rights and enables them to pay taxes.
In the Netherlands – in contrast to almost all other European countries – there is no route at all for regularisation through work, even when people have lived here for many years and contribute to society.
Marion Grace Jangli
‘If I cook for you, that means I like you.’
Regularisation through work is so important. That means the work you are doing is recognised by the government’.
Hamo Salhein
‘Gima is the dish my mother used to make on Friday. This is the day we would all come and eat together.’
‘I was politically active in Sudan. I decided to stop. When I came to The Netherlands, I realised how important it was to stand up, still, and speak out.’
Isaac Adedamola
‘I’m a building engineer. Since I am here in The Netherlands, I never thought about my dream anymore. Because all I dream about is to get my permit.
‘The plantain is really nice with Jollof Rice. Either you cook it, or fry it and never stop eating it.’
Why is this necessary?
In the Netherlands, people without papers work every day in sectors that are considered essential: care, cleaning, hospitality, food production, logistics, construction.
Wherever undocumented labour is used, exploitation is lurking. People without a residence permit are excluded from formal employment, banking services, rental contracts, and access to basic services. This systematic exclusion increases the risk of underpayment, unsafe working conditions, and discrimination. Fear of detention or deportation prevents many from reporting abuses or claiming their rights — even when they do have the right to, for example, the minimum wage or medical care.
When people do work but are excluded from rights, structural exploitation arises.
Regularisation through work recognises labour and grants rights to people who are already part of our society.
Labour shortages and regularisation
The Netherlands is facing major staff shortages. There are currently more vacancies than jobseekers, in virtually all sectors – including care and food production.
Regularisation through work is not charity, but a realistic and sustainable solution to structural labour shortages and an ageing society.
The situation in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the House of Representatives has voted in favour of the criminalisation of undocumented stay. In early 2026, the Senate will vote on this. A solution is needed now for residents of the Netherlands. Not criminals, but people who have been here for years, are part of our society, work, have children in school, and have networks in the Netherlands.
Regularisation through work makes this possible.
What steps are needed?
1. In collaboration with municipalities: registration – Digital ID. Link to trust-based banking.
2. Co-creation of a public campaign on regularisation. In the Netherlands, undocumented people are currently not linked to work in public discourse (ICLAIM). Current views on migration and undocumented people do not reflect reality. A campaign is needed to change the dominant image of undocumented people from a stereotypical image ABOUT people to a representative campaign made WITH undocumented people themselves.
3. Building a broad coalition: employers, individuals, organisations, municipalities, the trade union.
4. Ultimately: lobbying at the national level for regularisation through work.
Does this work in other countries?
In many European countries, regularisation through work already exists, with demonstrable positive effects.
Portugal
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Economic growth of >2% per year since 2017
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More jobs, often filled by migrants
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In 2024, migrants contributed €3.6 billion to social security (+30%)
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Regularisation strengthened economic and social sustainability
Spain
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Nearly 330,000 people regularised through ‘arraigo’ – regularisation through work
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Foreign workers make up 13.9% of the working population
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Nearly 3 million foreign contributors to social security
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Less exploitation and better labour protection
Our publications under Digntiy FIRM
Read the Blog Post written by Hamo:
“We Are Here, We Have Rights And We Can Work”.
My Experience As Peer-Researcher In The Netherlands – By Hamo Salhein
Cross-Country Report – Participatory Action Research (PAR) With Migrant Workers In Farm To Fork Sectors In Amsterdam, Seville And Wroclaw
Podcast
Tesseltje de Lange and Hamo Salhein
External links and articles
MIRREM
Handbook on Regularisation policies
PICUM
The impact of regularisation measures on people, institutions and wider society
I-CLAIM
Public understanding and attitudes to irregular migration in Netherlands
Laurence Lessard-Phillips, Minke Hajer and Ilse van Liempt
One World
ZONDER VERBLIJFSVERGUNNING AAN HET WERK: ‘WERKGEVERS PROFITEREN VAN WANHOOP'
Ama Boahene