# 12 more asylum centres open information desks this year

> The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment is putting an extra €5m a year into Meedoenbalies, information desks in asylum centres that point newcomers to jobs, volunteering and language lessons. The cabinet also wants to cut the wait before asylum seekers can work.

Migration · published 2026-10-28 07:04 · https://nlnow.nl/a/cabinet-opens-12-more-work-help-desks-in-asylum-centres/

Twelve new Meedoenbalies will open this year in asylum centres (azc's), bringing the total to 50. Centres in Den Haag, Amersfoort, Emmen and Zeewolde are among those getting one. Further expansion follows in 2027, after which the vast majority of regular asylum centres (azc's) will have a desk.

**Why it matters**

- Asylum seekers who have been in the procedure for six months may now do paid work, but the employer must apply for a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning).
- The cabinet plans to cut that to three months for asylum seekers who are likely to be allowed to stay.
- Municipalities will take over the legal task of guiding asylum seekers to work once the regulations are amended.

At the desks, asylum migrants get information on finding a job, volunteering and language lessons. A study of how the current desks work is under way. The aim is to focus them more on support towards paid work, alongside referral. That includes making newcomers 'work-fit' and encouraging language development.

The cabinet's ambition is to help 75,000 newcomers into work within four years. Ministers Thierry Aartsen (Work and Participation) and Van den Brink (Asylum and Migration) launched an approach called Werk en Meedoen Nieuwkomers. It means more focus on work and language in asylum reception, agreements with sectors facing shortages to hire more newcomers, and work at the centre of the asylum and integration system.

> We have left these people on the sidelines for too long. As a society, we cannot afford that. Work is the best way to integrate.
> — Thierry Aartsen, Minister of Work and Participation

## Background

- **Meedoenbalie**: A Meedoenbalie is a help desk in an asylum centre (azc) where residents can get advice on work, volunteering and training. The name comes from 'meedoen', meaning 'taking part', and the desks are meant to help asylum seekers become active in Dutch society while their application is being processed. Its purpose is to support residents in building skills and finding meaningful activities, so they can take part in daily life in the Netherlands.

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