Dutch to the core, and asked to prove it
Not everyone who is legally obligated to take the integration course actually needs it. NRC Handelsblad spoke to three perfectly integrated immigrants who are shocked at having their Dutchness put to the test.
Larbi Edriouch, head of integration for the city of Utrecht, sees them all the time: people who have lived in the Netherlands for years and speak perfect Dutch. They often have good jobs, but no Dutch passports. As a result they are legally obligated to take the Dutch integration course.
It's a waste, says Edriouch. These people are often quite assertive and they sometimes complain strongly. "By doing so they are proving that they don't need an integration course. But it takes up much of our time."
Since January 1, 2007 all foreigners coming to or residing in the Netherlands have to take a Dutch integration course and exam. For newcomers there are exemptions for people holding passports from the European Union, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Korea and Japan. For people already in the Netherlands only EU passport holders and people under 18 or over 65 are exempt.
People who feel they don't need an integration course can take a national
exemption exam for 81 euros, but many municipalities fail to provide that
information. People can also ask the municipality directly for an exemption,
but the criteria are very strict.
Integration minister Eberhard van der Laan acknowledged the problem during a debate in parliament this week. But he said he is worried that giving the municipalities more leeway in granting exemptions will allow for local disparities.
Larbi Edriouch disagrees. "Are they afraid we will be too lenient? The law is an instrument, and the municipalities are responsible for its implementation. We all want the same thing: to integrate as many people as possible."
There are an estimated 500,000 people in the Netherlands who have an insufficient knowledge of Dutch and are therefore candidates for the integration course. But about two thirds are not legally obligated to take the course because they have the Dutch nationality.
According to integration minister Van der Laan between 43,000 and 47,000 are expected to take the integration course this year, and 60,000 next year.
People who refuse to take the integration course can be fined, and do not
qualify for a permanent residence card.
Naomi Adler (62)
|
|
Nationality: American
Place of residence: Moergestel
Job: dental hygienist
Years in the Netherlands: 40
"I was dumbfounded when I got the letter from the municipality. I was deeply hurt. I am not taking the integration course. I am also refusing on principle to take the fast-track exam for exemption. I have lived here for 40 years and I have always contributed to this society. I have always worked, I never asked for anything. I put my first husband through music school, even though he qualified for a study loan.
"My parents are German jews who fled to the US in the 1930s. The US gave them a future. That's why I have never wanted to give up my US passport.
"Since last year I've been getting letters from the municipality. The tone of the letters was quite insulting. After the third one I sent a formal objection and copies of my residence permit, courses I took in the Netherlands and my degree from Berkeley university.
"The municipality wanted to see proof of my knowledge of Dutch, which I didn't have. A friend who is head of a college signed a certificate for me, but it wasn't enough. I learned Dutch thanks to friends and colleagues constantly correcting me, and by reading Dutch books and watching Dutch TV.
"I came well-prepared to the hearing. Twenty friends accompanied me. I
explained to the court the kind of studies and work I've done. I showed them
how good my Dutch was. I felt sorry for the two civil servants. I saw how
uncomfortable they were. Three weeks ago I was informed that I've been
exempted from the integration course. I'm sure there is a Polish cleaning
lady out there somewhere who will make better use of it."
Margo Tam (43)
|
|
Nationality: Australian
Place of residence: Rotterdam
Job: administrator/webmaster at a local high school
Years in the Netherlands: 19
"I have pictures of myself in an orange outfit on Queen's Day, applying make-up to the children at the school where I work. I brought them with me to the municipality office where I had been told to report. They laughed, but they said it wouldn't make a difference.
"I was born in Hong Kong and have lived in Singapore and Australia. When I was fifteen I met a Dutch boy on holiday in Singapore and we became pen pals... Later we fell in love and I moved to the Netherlands. That was 19 years ago. Our three children were born here. I immediately took a series of intensive Dutch language courses.
"My integration course has become a running gag among my friends. But now I don't think its so funny anymore. I'm not angry, and I'm not opposed to [the integration course] on principle. For people who need it, it's a blessing. But I don't need it. I think it's a waste of time for me to attend classes two nights a week for three months. I also think it's waste of money. This course costs 6,000 euros. That's taxpayer's money that could be put to a better use.
"I asked the municipality if I could take an exam to get exempted. They
said no. I found out on the internet that there is a fast-track exam you can
take for 81 euros. If there is no other way I think I'll just take the exam."
Mohammed Ourhris (45)
|
|
Nationality: Moroccan
Place of residence: Zuid-Scharwoude
Job: printer
Years in the Netherlands: 33
"I was 12 when I came to the Netherlands; my father was already working in a factory. When I was 18 I applied for a passport, but there was a problem with the spelling of my name: in the Netherlands I was registered as 'Ourhris' and in Morocco as 'Ourgris'. So I didn't get the passport. I pay close to 280 euros every five years for my residence permit and those of my wife and our seven children. But most of our children are older than 18 now, and they were given a Dutch passport automatically.
"Now all of the sudden I am asked to take an integration course. I don't understand. I am integrated. I have always spoken Dutch at home, and I don't arrange marriages for my daughters. I have been president of the local mosque association for 15 years and I work as an interpreter at the courthouse. Whenever the municipality needs a representative from the Muslim community they call me. But they won't give me a passport. Rules are rules, they say. I think I am entitled to a Dutch passport.
"I'm not taking the course. Not because i'm afraid I will fail, but because I don't want to be in a classroom with people who have just arrived in the Netherlands. This course is meant for them. I don't need to be told what to do if I get sick, or what Queen's Day means. I am more Dutch than Moroccan."