ChristopherBarnett

Okay so I've been living in the Netherlands for just over 4 years now but I recently quit my job because the boss refused to give me a contract and wanted me to work for cash in hand, which is illegal, even after asking him multiple times to give me a contract (he kept telling me to apply for social and THEN he'd give me a contract but it's not that simple...)

Anyway my main issue is this:
If the worst comes to the worst, which I hope it doesn't, then I don't mind moving back. However, due to the recent situation, I am completely broke and unless I can find a new job or something to sustain me until I do then I may become homeless.

I can't go to the social and ask them for help until I can find a new job because they'll ask me to prove that I worked for 6 months, which I can't do due to a certain person. So what are my options really? I can't move back because I have no means of doing so but I also can't stay here.

I've been applying for jobs left right and center and intend to go to the social tomorrow morning.

Am I doomed to walk the streets of the Netherlands as a homeless person or is there something that the British embassy can do?

robin1234

Why would you be in a better situation in the UK than in the Netherlands, though?

ChristopherBarnett

I'd not be homeless (a friend has agreed to let me stay with him until I get sorted..)

I have more of a chance of finding work there than I do here because all work here, for the most part, requires that you can speak fluent Dutch.

I could maybe go back to studying or a training course which, again, is hard to do here.

I just think that I'd have more of a chance back home.

SanDiegogirl

The British Embassy is not going to help you.

You seem to have been in this situation for quite some time from reading your earlier posts.

If you can't find work in the Netherlands (because you don't speak Dutch) and you have somewhere to live while looking for a job in the UK, I'd go back to the UK.

ChristopherBarnett

Ummm no I've not been in it for quite some time. I had been working until recently lol.

And yes the British embassy has offered to help before but then I found a job.

MrsFychan

I would personally report your previous employer as you say what he is doing is illegal and basically forced your hand to quit. Think the social may be very interested in that

ChristopherBarnett

Yeh somebody else suggested that but they said I'd get into trouble as well. I think he knew what he was doing all along. There were times that he didn't even pay me at all. Sometimes I had to work for 7 hours yet only got paid for 5. He knew that I relied on that job to survive and I guess he played on that vulnerability.

He was afraid of getting caught by the end so he cut my days to like 2 days a week IF I was lucky. So I jut quit.

Bermudashorts

I am not sure I get the dilemma. If you have somewhere to stay in the UK and better job prospects, versus the streets in Amsterdam and limited job prospects, well then what are you waiting for.

The British embassy is not there to help people because they are short of money. And whilst your employer might have been breaking some rules, you could surely have declared your earnings as self employment / contracting and made yourself legitimate that way.

ChristopherBarnett

No they were offering me a means to get back.

Bermudashorts

It isn't that hard to get back from Amsterdam to the UK is it? Anyway, if you have an offer of help and have somewhere to stay when you get there, just do it.

teejaydee

I think you need to take a good look at your current situation, and develop a long-term career and life plan. You have been in the Netherlands for four years. You don't say why you moved there in the first place, but not speaking the language will always put you at a disadvantage when seeking meaningful work.

You are now in your thirties, and talking about soldiering on with your attempt to learn Dutch. When asked on another thread about your skill-set. you say "I'm really good with computers and games design" You need to get yourself back to the UK, visit the JobCentrePlus office, and ask them what training courses they have that would suit these skills.

You must know for yourself, you are just treading water in the Netherlands. You need to accept that and move on. In the future, you can visit Groningen for the weekend, but you need to get your life and career into shape.

Sorry to sound harsh.

ChristopherBarnett

It's not harsh and you make valid points. I read somewhere that it takes 3 months before one can even apply for JSA if they're returning after a long time. So I guess I'd have to live off my friend for 3 months unless what I read isn't true.

Dorothy

Or, and here's a novel idea, get a job and support yourself!

ChristopherBarnett

Oh yeh awesome idea, luv! I'll arrive, kick the door down to every business and say "JOB, NOW!!!"

Not sure it works like that. Not quite sure what world you're from but one cannot instantaneously find a job upon arrival.

SanDiegogirl

Not sure what you expect people to suggest.

In July 2015 you posted a similar story - been in Netherlands a number of years, in and out of jobs, and at that time you were unemployed; again thinking of going back to the UK, maybe onto "the welfare"

Not much has changed since then. You don't speak Dutch, so finding a job in the UK must be an easier proposition.