Breaking barriers The labour market position of Sub-Saharan Africans in the Netherlands

The study investigates the labour market position of Sub-Saharan Africans in the Netherlands, a hitherto undescribed ethnic group, focusing on their employment, wages, and contract types from 2006 to 2012. The research reveals a 53% employment gap, with 90% of the difference unexplained by human capital variables. The study also examines the impact of country of origin and legal status on employment differences among first-generation Sub-Saharan immigrants, finding that job attainment largely depends on legal status rather than human capital or country-of-origin characteristics. The expected ethnic gap in flexible contracts disappeared, with an increase in permanent contracts and a shift towards the cleaning industry. I found a 5% wage gap, primarily due to lower education among sub-Saharan immigrants. The study emphasises the need for policies that enforce 'equal pay for equal work' through collective labour agreements and minimum wages. It also highlights the need for universal policies with favourable consequences for everyone, as the Dutch labour market presents significant entry barriers. Breaking barriers involves navigating complex policies and regulations governing entry into the Dutch labour market, with institutions playing a key role in facilitating migrants' integration and ensuring equal opportunities for all.