Staffing agencies which specialise in Polish workers have performed better than general agencies, de Volkskrant reports.

The number of hours booked by staffing agencies is down by -23% in the first six months of 2009 compared to only -10% to -15% for staffing agencies which specialise in Polish personnel.

Aart van der Gaag, Director at staffing agency Group ABU, told de Volkskrant that “Polish workers’ reputation for being hard working, never sick and uncomplaining is helping them during the recession. More than that, they are prepared to do the jobs which the Dutch turn their noses up at. Polish temporary workers are concentrated in the farming, green house, food distribution and meat processing sector.â€VbCrLf

According to ABU, 160,000 people from Eastern Europe are currently working in The Netherlands.