2025 was entirely dominated by phasing out the number of self-employed professionals. The Dutch healthcare landscape faced major challenges, and in Limburg, staffing was scaled up with nurses from Suriname and Indonesia.
The majority of them were supposed to come from Suriname, and the rest from Indonesia. This was the challenge I faced together with CareVisie. The target number was ultimately not reached, but over 60 started in various groups in 2025, with the rest arriving in 2027 and 2028. With this, the most important step has been taken in phasing out the number of self-employed professionals at this client in Limburg.
The first group consisted of 8 Indonesian nurses. They were already in a long-term language program and were ultimately ready to be deployed sooner than expected. In groups of 3, they moved to the area near Venlo. What struck me was that they asked almost no questions. Initially, they preferred to figure things out themselves, but they were also cautious about asking questions. As if they were afraid they might be fired for it. An important cultural difference that you have to take into account. For instance, a YES can sometimes turn into a NO…
The second group consisted of 25 outstanding individuals. Healthcare professionals from Suriname. It was a busy and noisy morning at Schiphol. The coach was packed to the brim with ladies, but above all with suitcases. And that makes sense, because ultimately they were moving to the Netherlands too. CareVisie has various homes in Limburg. From small to large, everyone was distributed as well as possible. In Suriname, the country is also divided into different religions. That makes it a major challenge to ensure everyone lives together as well as possible.
The third, fourth, and fifth groups all arrived in the last quarter. The main reason was the IND and the UWV. They have to issue the work permits, and then you are dependent on their pace and the order in which they are processed. Another challenge was (and is) housing. Fortunately, CareVisie found a temporary solution, and everyone had a home that met all requirements. However, it was not always near their work and sometimes within a 30 to 40-minute bike ride. The latter can be remedied with an electric bike, but it was also winter and dark. Ultimately, CareVisie decided to deploy taxis so that everyone can get to work on time and safely.
-Ton
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