Most Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands worked in flexible employment with 38% working as temporary workers, according to data from Statistics Netherlands.

Ukrainian refugees also had other temporary employment (31%) and worked as on-call workers (28%).

The data also found that a third worked 30 to 35 hours (29%) while 18% worked full-time (35 hours or more).

The majority of Ukrainian refugees worked in the business services sector (51%). According to Statistics Netherlands, this industry includes employment agencies. 

The bureau added that it is often impossible to determine to which sector temporary workers are sent. 

Meanwhile, the share of employees among refugees with Ukrainian nationality in the Netherlands saw an increase this year.

On 1 May 2023, half of the approximately 68,000 refugees (50%) between the ages of 15 and 65 were in paid employment. This compares to 1 November 2022 when the figure was at 44%.

The share of employees increased most among women of all ages (15-65 years old), from 44% in November 2022 to 51% in May 2023. Among young men (15 to 25 years old), the share of employees increased the least in the same period, from 38% to 41%.

The Ukrainian refugees who came to the Netherlands after the Russian invasion at the end of February 2022 do not need a work permit to work. This places them in an exceptional position compared to other migrants from outside the European Union or the countries in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the Bureau noted.