The Netherlands

Your recruitment partner to the Animal and Crop Agribusiness, Food Technology and Hotel & Restaurants industries

/
/
/
Horticulture Seasonal Workers
Categories

Horticulture Seasonal Workers

Horticulture Seasonal Workers

The horticulture sector in the Netherlands has a strong need for seasonal workers, particularly during the peak growing and harvesting seasons. This is due to the high demand for fresh produce and the labor-intensive nature of horticulture work.

The need for international seasonal workers in the horticulture sector in the Netherlands has increased in recent years due to the growing demand for fresh produce and difficulty in finding local workers to fill seasonal positions.

International seasonal workers are valued in the Netherlands for providing sufficient help in harvesting and processing crops on time; possibility to be allocated to different tasks and roles; knowledge of the tasks and techniques required for the job, creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and the exchange of ideas; economical contribution to the sector’s success. 

Bixter.Work will help you to cover your need in seasonal workers through our wide network of international, English speaking, motivated and dedicated professionals. 

Bixter.work seasonal workers are coming from:

  • Asian countries (Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, India,etc.)
  • African countries (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc.)
  • Latin American countries (Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, etc.)
  • Others

Bixter operates on a legal basis by connecting employers in need of qualified, motivated, affordable, and stable employees with young professionals who have completed relevant Bachelor’s degrees, those who have relevant work experience in agriculture or candidates who have both: relevant education and experience.

FAQ

  • Candidates who have completed education, with a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science and Production, Agriculture etc. in their home countries or have previously gained relevant experience in the horticulture sector in their home countries or abroad
  • Young and motivated candidates. International workers invest into their visa and travel tickets in order to gain professional experience in the Netherlands. They value the opportunity to get this experience for further career development in home country or abroad
  • Candidates with a solid knowledge of different plant species and their growth requirements, operating basic irrigation systems and farming equipment in some cases
  • Candidates are able to adapt to changing situations, work different shifts and schedules, and handle unexpected challenges that may arise during their workday
  • Stable candidates. As people from Non-EU countries need work and residence permits in the Netherlands, their seasonal visa is attached to one specific workplace, and the worker is stable for up to 6 months. 
  • Candidates with good command of the English language
  • Affordable, as salary is regulated by minimum wage ~ 12 €/hour
  • Bixter’s customer support for the whole period of contract with the international seasonal worker
  • Bixter collaborates closely with its global agents to carefully review and interview prospective workers, ensuring they meet the qualifications required by the employer. 

 

  • As a reliable partner, Bixter provides detailed guidance on the employment conditions and its regulations, ensuring that employers and employees have a smooth and successful experience.

 

  • We take care of the visa paperwork for every international worker – one less thing for the employer to worry about and more time to focus on the important activities in their business.

 

  • With the information provided to us by the employer, Bixter makes every effort to find and place the most suitable worker possible.

 

  • We make sure the international workers have the necessary insurance coverage, minimizing the risk of unexpected costs or liabilities.

 

  • Our expert team is available to provide assistance and address any concerns that may arise during the employment period. This ensures a smooth and successful working relationship between the employer and the international employee, which leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction

 

  • Bixter conducts pre-departure webinars, shares informative brochures with international employees to improve the integration process and avoid miscommunication issues.

 

  • At the end of the program, we’ll send the employers evaluation forms soliciting feedback on the placement and the assistance provided by Bixter as we are constantly trying to improve our services

Upon successful selection for a job in the horticulture industry in the Netherlands, candidates will be granted a residence permit and work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) for seasonal work, these are applied for the migration service together as a single permit (gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid or GVVA). The permit allows them to work in the agricultural sector in the Netherlands for a maximum of 6 months. Bixter will be responsible for handling all the paperwork related to the visa application on behalf of the candidate. This includes preparing and submitting the necessary documents to the IND and keeping track of the application status.

Our team of experienced professionals will ensure that the visa application process is carried out smoothly and efficiently, with regular updates provided to the candidate and employers throughout the process. We understand that obtaining a visa can be a challenging task, especially for those unfamiliar with the Dutch immigration system, and we are committed to providing comprehensive support to our international candidates and employers.

It is important to note that the average waiting period for the arrival of an international worker is typically around three or three and half months. This is primarily due to the mandatory visa processing time, which can take up to 90 days. 

For recognized sponsors, applications can be processed within 2 weeks. Do you want to know more about “How to become a recognized sponsor in the Netherlands”? Contact us.

As a result, it is crucial for companies to plan ahead and account for this waiting period when organizing their recruitment process. By taking a pragmatic approach and considering the necessary visa processing time, companies can ensure that they are able to receive qualified trainees in a timely manner, while also adhering to all relevant regulations and procedures.

Normal work week can be from 37 till 40 working hours, but taking into the consideration the specifics of seasonal work, harvest and peak seasons overtime working hours are applicable.

It is important to remember to follow regulations of the Dutch Working Hours Act, according to which the maximum of hours per shift shall be of 12 hours, 60 hours/week. Please note that an employee cannot work the maximum number of hours every week. Hereby, from the perspective of working hours calculations over longer periods you shall follow these regulations:

  • Weekly over a period of four weeks: on average, 55 hours; different arrangements on this can be reached in a collective agreement (CAO, for example). However, a worker is not permitted to work more than 60 hours a week;
  • During a 16-week period, there are typically 48 hours worked per week. The exact hours the employee works each day and each week are agreed upon between the employee and the company.

For seasonal workers, the standard working week is 40 hours, and any hours worked beyond this are considered overtime. The overtime pay rate for seasonal workers is typically 150% of their regular hourly wage. However, this can vary depending on the employment contract and the industry.

 

It’s important to note that seasonal workers in the Netherlands are entitled to the same employment rights and benefits as regular workers. Employers in the Netherlands are required to keep accurate records of working hours and overtime, and employees have the right to access this information. If an employer fails to pay overtime to an employee, the employee can file a complaint with the Dutch Labour Inspectorate (Inspectie SZW) or take legal action to recover the unpaid wages.

It is important to note, however, that there are certain specific regulations that are unique to agricultural work, which take into account the seasonal nature of the work and the weather conditions. This means that during busy periods, such as harvesting, workers may be required to work longer hours to meet production demands.

At Bixter, we recognize that hiring an overseas worker offers an exceptional opportunity for cultural exchange. It also requires that rules set by local Immigration Services are respected by both parties. 

Please note that international employees can only begin working once their work and residence permit has been attached to the employer’s business. Compliance with this requirement is crucial to meet legal obligations and ensure a smooth recruitment process.Our experts will offer detailed guidance regarding the updated migration legislation and will keep you updated if any changes are implemented. 

  • Finding/providing accommodation for the worker for a monthly rent ~ 300€ per month(paid by worker) or for free
  • Offering a salary in alignment with the local minimum wage
  • Picking up the worker from the nearest bus/train station upon arrival
  • Making sure that candidates will be registered after arrival 
  • Ensure that overtime payment is offered according to Dutch agriculture industry standards
  • Our global agents are constantly sourcing educated and motivated workers. Bixter has developed a strong Partnership Network with companies, educational institutions, governmental agencies and organizations, and Ministries from 27 countries all over the world. 
  • Bixter is continuously growing it’s global network, which allows to expand our candidates selection and secures our database for variety of choice of matching candidates specifically for your business
  • Bixter is visiting, developing cooperation and signing Agreements with Universities and colleges that offer relevant education for Agriculture, Food technology and Hospitality businesses, to ensure that we source candidate with the right qualification
  • We have a strong digital presence ensuring that candidates are contacting us directly through our website, Social Media pages, or other channels
  • Our candidates are constantly recommending us to their friends who are motivated to gain professional experience in Europe and bring some of it back to their home countries

 

At Bixter, we understand how complicated and time consuming the recruitment and registration process of foreign workers can get. This is why our professional team will be glad to assist you at every step of this way. Prior to your new employee’s arrival to the Netherlands, our offices and global agents take care of the majority of their issues, including visa application completion, travel arrangements, sharing important information about registration procedures and visa validation.

At Bixter, we know how important it is to focus on the most important processes of the business. This is why we are ready to take over the recruitment processes, while the employer can focus on other important activities and grow their businesses.

Here is a breakdown of the operations that Bixter is managing for employers:

– recruitment and pre screening of applicants according to criteria of the employer and migration service regulations,

– sharing important information about the tasks and responsibilities assigned to the employee to make sure he/she has realistic expectations,

– conducting required paperwork for visa application and following up with responsible migration institutions involved,

– managing arrival of international workers, sharing informative booklets on the registration process for a smooth integration process 

– providing support for both employer and international employee within the validity of the contract

In order to host international workers, adequate living conditions need to be provided by employers for a monthly rent. The rent needs to be affordable for the international employee, as they will be paying it from their monthly salary.

Here is a list of requirements that need to be fulfilled: 

  • Single room (in rare cases workers can be placed together in one room)
  • Furnished room with a sleeping bed, closet, chair, table, appropriate lighting 
  • Toilet and shower facilities
  • Access to cooking facilities and a fridge
  • Access to washing machine 
  • The living facilities should respect the safety regulations 
  • The accommodation should be located in close proximity to the working place(in case no car is provided)

Register and find your employee with Bixter