Impact of coronavirus on income and mental health are major issues
the ICAP organization held a survey amongs expats in the Netherlands end December 2020. You can read here the press release.
ICAP is an independent foundation founded in 2016 to build a bridge between the Netherlands’ international community and government and civic organizations.
Press Release
Almost a quarter of international workers say they had considered leaving the Netherlands because of coronavirus, according to a new poll by the International Community Advisory Platform. However, despite reports that expats are leaving in droves, three in five of those polled said they were not aware of any international workers who had left the Netherlands because of coronavirus, while 24% were aware of ‘one or two’. In total, 2,350 people from 104 different countries took part in the survey, which was carried out in November and December.
Nevertheless, the impact of the virus on international workers has been significant. In total 74% say coronavirus is having an impact on their mental health and 65% of respondents are worried about the impact of coronavirus on their household income. Three in 10 say their job could be under threat and 9% have already lost work.
Stricter rules
Many internationals were understanding of the Dutch strategy to deal with the virus, even though many said the rules were stricter in their own countries. ‘I’d rather be here with this sane country than in the US, no question. In general I’m very proud of this government, and I trust them,’ one international worker said. But others say the situation in the Netherlands exposes a selfish side to the Dutch character. ‘Personal freedom should not come before someone else's life,’ one expat in Amsterdam said.
Loneliness
Being in the Netherlands during the pandemic has been particularly problematic for people who moved here relatively recently and who have no social network.
‘Coronavirus has drastically slowed down our integration into Dutch society as it is more difficult to socialize, practice Dutch and build up our network outside the expat community,’ said one international worker in The Hague. The impact on the mental health of respondents is something to keep an eye on, in particular the 15% who are unsure where to turn for help, said ICAP board member Deborah Valentine. ‘Just 2% of people reported having help from their employers, and this is something which HR departments could take on board.’
Missing family
Missing friends and family in other countries has also been a major issue, given the disruption to international travel since the start of the pandemic. And over a quarter say they are very worried about friends and family back home. ‘For a whole year my kids have not seen their grandparents. It is heartbreaking that they find it normal to kiss a phone when they talk to family. If we are at a park they run up to old people to say hi to them,’ one respondent in Amsterdam said.