The Autumn 2007 Issue contains a.o. the following articles:

 
From the Point of View of ...Ehsan Turabaz
“The people of Afghanistan have as their advantage that they are very entrepreneurial. They have a strong sense of purpose, understand what is required and are willing to work hard. However, after three decades of war, they have lost their sense of direction, and some have lost their will. I want to help them get this back. Because they cannot do this without help from outside the country.
“I see a great future, especially among the young generation. There are more than 45,000 Afghans in the Netherlands, among them many second-generation immigrants. Many of them are willing to apply their knowledge and experience to help rebuild the country. They believe that Afghanistan will be stable in the future and they are willing to help with all the instruments they have available here.
“The good news is that six million children now go to school, also girls. We need to mention this, because you hear so much negative news, particularly about the south, while we also need to hear about the progress. There are 42 ‘donor countries’ who are helping the people of Afghanistan and they have a right to hear about the progress that is being made.”
Ehsan Turabaz

LEGAL AFFAIRS

Self-Employed or Not? Is it a (Dutch) Question?
In his contribution in this issue, Martin Glick refers to the class action settled by Microsoft for $97 million in the year 2000. Interesting to know is that the immediate cause was the fact that IRS auditors had found a decade before (!!) that Microsoft was intentionally misclassifying its temporary employees as independent contractors. Microsoft’s savings (and those of many other companies across the country who were engaging in what the IRS labelled a rampant practice) came at a huge cost – billions of dollars in tax revenues – to the IRS. Microsoft responded by complying with the IRS and reclassifying many of its workers. It assigned others out to temporary staffing agencies. The result was a satisfied IRS, but very unsatisfied workers, as the company continued to deny them access to its employee benefits plan. Several workers filed a class action lawsuit against Microsoft, claiming their right to equal treatment as permanent employees, including the right to participate in its benefits plan (especially participation in its Employee Stock Purchase Plan).
Could such ‘American practices’, as we Dutch call it, also occur in the Netherlands as Martin Glick warns? And if so, can the VAR (Declaration of Independent Contractor Status) as described in the article by Bart van Meijl (also in this issue) be of any help in this respect?
Liane van de Vrugt, e-mail: lvdvrugt@vedeve.com

TAX

Reimbursement of Study Expenses
There are many ways to get an education. And, depending on your studies or course, the price of obtaining your degree or diploma can be steep. In some cases, however, the Dutch tax authorities are willing to help you out a bit. Also your employer can help pay for some of your expenses, without this leading to any additional tax obligations on your side. If you are an expat, then perhaps your employer will be able to reimburse your children’s tuition expenses free of tax, as well.
Robin Schalekamp looks into the various options available.
Robin Schalekamp, e-mail: robin.schalekamp@bdo.nl

Self-Employed or Not ? That’s the Question
In his article Expansion in Contracting, Martin Glick discusses a number of recent developments in the contracting industry and the risks related to the temporary employment solutions. As he noted, due to the expansion in jobs, more and more principals are opting to use contractors or temporary workers as a supplement to their workforce.
In most cases, contractors working for a Dutch principal are highly skilled knowledge workers who are what is referred to as ‘scarcely available on the Dutch labor market’. They often have high demands regarding their salary and benefits package and tend to see themselves as an independent contractor based on the simple fact that they are considered an independent contractor in their country of origin (based on the national law of that specific country).
Naturally, a principal who is making use of independent contractors would like to be sure that he is protected against liability when it comes to the obligation to pay employed persons’ insurance schemes or to withhold wage tax. In this article, Bart van Meijl outlines the effect of the Declaration of Independent Contractor Status (Extension of Legal Consequences) Act for both principals and contractors.
Bart van Meijl, e-mail: info@expatax.nl

CAREER

Expansion in Contracting
Organisations, both large and small, rely more and more on the use of contract labour as opposed to full-time employees. Contractors, who used to be viewed as purely a temporary employment solution, are now viewed as being an essential and permanent part of the labour mix of all types of organisations.
This article explores why this phenomenon has occurred and deals with some of the issues it has given rise to.
Martin Glick, e-mail: martin.glick@thealbanygroup.com

TRAVEL

The Veluwe - Holland’s Natural Beauty
A very popular area in Gelderland, the largest province in the Netherlands, is the Veluwe, which extends south to Arnhem and north toward Zwolle. Its forests, hills, and natural beauty make it a favourite among those who are looking for a change of pace from the flat polder lands of North and South Holland.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park
Information: www.hogeveluwe.nl
This nature reserve has over 13,000 acres of woods, heath, dunes and fens, with hundreds of red and roe deer, wild boar and pheasant to see. It once belonged to Anton Kröller, a successful industrialist, and his wife. Before they died they created a foundation to operate their land as a national park, and built a museum on it to house their extensive art collection.
A good way to see the park is to make use of the 500 ‘white bicycles’ provided free of charge to visitors. Just pick one up at one of the three locations, including De Koperen Kop restaurant. There are trails set out for 10, 18 and 26 kilometre rides. Camping is possible from April-October.
Spring and fall are good times to watch the deer being fed. This is done from an enclosure raised six feet or so from the ground. If you are quiet and sit still, the animals may come into the clearing from the woods some distance in front of you. In the spring, they are especially wary, and you will see the buck leading the pack. Once he is satisfied there is no danger, they start to eat.

Kröller-Müller Museum
Information: www.kmm.nl
It may be a little surprising to discover that within the scenic wooded parkland of the Hoge Veluwe, you can find a major collection of paintings by famous 19th and 20th-century artists. This museum is an art lover's dream. The main collection has 275 works by Vincent Van Gogh. There are also works by Picasso, Seurat, Redon, Braque, Juan Gris and Mondriaan, among even more.
Sculptures are displayed indoors against a background of greenery seen through large picture windows, while the outdoor Sculpture Garden is the largest in Europe. Children can play on the grass or enjoy watching the ducks while parents ponder the meaning of some modern sculptor’s creation. There are many works, including some by Marta Pan, Hepworth, Rodin, Lipchitz, and Henry Moore.

Also in De Hoge Veluwe: Entrance to the park includes a visit to Museonder, the world's first underground museum. True to its name, the museum explores the world beneath our feet, including the creatures that inhabit it.

This is the third in our series of ‘Travel Tips’ from the all-new, 9th edition of Here’s Holland, an all-in-one guide to travel and life in Holland, written by Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers, with Shirley Agudo and Connie Moser. For more information, see www.heresholland.com

HOUSING

Exclusive Living in the Van Stolkpark, The Hague
If you are looking for a highly functional apartment featuring luxury, comfort and every convenience, including domotica (home automation) and security, you might want to take a look at the spacious Park Sandhaghe apartments in the exclusive Van Stolkpark.
Park Sandhaghe is located between the Westbroekpark, Statenkwartier, Waterpartij and Scheveningse Bosjes. The beach, promenade and Madurodam are ‘just around the corner’, as is the fantastic shopping street the Frederik Hendriklaan, where you can shop to your heart’s content. The Gemeentemuseum (Municipal Museum) and the Museon are only a stone’s throw away. Slightly further away is the second inland harbour of Scheveningen, with its marina and numerous pubs and restaurants. Facilities for medical care, public transport, schools, theatres, horse racing, golf and a variety of other outdoor activities are also located nearby.
The project, designed by architect Hoogenberk, consists of the Jarpa and Bella Duna villa complexes, both of which are located next to the stately Villa Sandhaghe. Architecturally, both villa complexes have the same solid, elegant design, but each has its own unique character.
Each of the villas has four storeys, each with three apartments with living areas of up to around 200 m2. The penthouse measures around 400 m2. You enter the apartment of your choice through an entrance hall that leads to most of the rooms: the extremely spacious living room, the two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a study or library. The open kitchens have a large dining area and the living room opens up to a large terrace or outdoor area. The large windows and double French doors give the interior a light and inviting atmosphere. Private parking spaces are available in the underground car park for the residents of each apartment.
The apartments offer a high-quality luxurious finishing and special attention is given to privacy and security, for instance with customised home automation products.
Price range starts at € 1,095,000, purchase costs being payable by vendor.
For more information visit: www.parksandhaghe.nl

Htel Serviced Apartments: An Exclusive Home Away From Home
Frequent business travellers will have empathised with Bill Murray’s character in the hit film Lost in Translation as he sat night after night at a hotel bar. The hotel was luxurious, the staff polite – but nothing could compensate for the anonymity and away-from-home feeling. In Amsterdam, Htel Serviced Apartments offers guests an entirely different scenario in its Business Suites and stunning new Executive Apartments.
While the idea of providing business people on short-term assignments with accommodation in serviced apartments is well-known in many countries, the Htel concept was the first of its kind in Holland. “As the number of international companies in the Amsterdam region continues to grow apace, business people and executives are looking for a solution to either spending months living in a hotel or enduring the hassle of organising short-term rental leases on an apartment,” Angela van ’t Slot, managing director of Htel Serviced Apartments, explains. “The Htel concept offers a third way that combines the best of both worlds.”
Business Suites
Htel Serviced Apartments opened its 14-storey Business Suite complex in 2003, raising the bar in terms of comfort and service standards. Costing considerably less than equivalent hotel accommodation, and with rental periods starting at just one month, the 241 Htel Business Suites provide flexibility as well as considerable savings. Van ’t Slot: “Although ideal for individuals, the size of our building means companies can send entire teams of people, conveniently grouped together in one building with the privacy of their own suite. The location in Amstelveen, on the southern edge of Amsterdam, is ideal: close to the business areas, yet just a short tram or taxi ride away from the city centre.”
The Htel Business Suites measure 43 m² and include a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable dining and lounge areas for four, one double or two single beds, high-speed Internet, telephone, TV/AV and free parking. In the lobby of the overall complex is a dedicated reception area, from which a comprehensive range of supplementary services are organised for guests.
New Executive Apartments
The success of the Business Suites was one of the reasons why Htel Serviced Apartments decided to go to an even higher level with its brand-new Executive Apartments, which opened their doors in September 2007.

“Our luxurious Executive Apartments are intended for higher management and the executive level,” Van ’t Slot says. “With interconnecting rooms and up to three bedrooms, they are large enough for people who wish to bring their family along for their stay in Amsterdam. No expense has been spared on these suites, which have a designer layout and the finest furnishings. Standards of service are also first class and to top it all, the 15th floor has an exclusive sky lounge open to residents.”
The new Executive Apartments are located in Amsterdam Buitenveldert, next to the Zuidas and WTC business area. They feature the same services as the Business Suites, with an even higher level of comfort. Three sizes are available: 58 m², 90 m² (extra bedroom or study) and 127 m² (larger living room with open fireplace). “We are offering a new standard of living to executives. Combined with the high degree of personal service offered by Htel staff, this will ensure that executives also feel at home during their stay in Amsterdam.”
See www.htel.nl for more information.

La Fenetre - Finding a Place to Call Home
Arriving in the Netherlands, so much needs to be done, and one of the biggest challenges is finding a house that will feel like home, in a short period of time. Carol Buijs, Solutions Specialist with Microsoft, arrived in February of this year and quickly found a place she was happy with.
“Early this year my husband was looking for apartments on the Internet. We decided we wanted to rent for a year, to get our bearings before buying a house of our own. One of the options he came across was Vesteda."
Did choosing La Fenêtre make your move to the Netherlands easier?
Absolutely. We live in what they call a ‘regular’ apartment. It comes completely stripped and you can opt to rent various things from Vesteda. We brought all our own furniture with us but we rent the flooring and lights, and things like the washer and dryer from them. The price for these things is very reasonable and making use of this option saved us a lot of time and energy that we didn’t feel like spending on going in and out of shops.
For an expat like myself, the services offered through Vesteda mean that you have an interface for some of the things that are difficult, especially in the beginning when you don’t speak the language or know your way around. Through the security console you can order your groceries or get your dry cleaning done. I’ve never used it, but when you are a newly arrived expat these sorts of services give you the breathing time you need for all the other things you need to get done.”
In La Fenêtre, apartments can be rented unfurnished, semi-furnished and furnished (serviced). For more information on unfurnished and semi-furnished apartments see www.lafenetre.nl
For more information on furnished (serviced) apartments see www.servicedapartments.nl

LEISURE

The Hague - City behind the Dunes
Nowadays, The Hague is known all around the world for its role as International City of Peace and Justice. Home to important international institutions such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and more recently the International Criminal Court (ICC), The Hague fulfils an important function in the global politics of our time.
The Hague’s role as host to an international community is part of a tradition that dates back more than 750 years. Over the centuries, it has welcomed international visitors with open arms, but also provided a safe haven for outcasts. In this respect, the city’s history is deeply embedded in the history of the Netherlands. In a political and social climate that was remarkably tolerant and intellectual by the standards of their day, renowned scholars such as Erasmus and Hugo Grotius were able to flourish here and make their philosophies known to the world.
www.vvvdenhaag.com

EDUCATION

Intercultural Training; an Overview
Culture shock affects most expats to some degree during their first year in the Netherlands – or anywhere, for that matter. It is also a leading cause of the early departure of international employees. For HR managers responsible for devising induction programs for new staff members, what effective training options are there to promote cultural adaptation and diminish the negative effects of culture shock?
In order to determine what is ‘appropriate’ for their organization, HR managers should take several factors into account. These include an employee’s previous international experience, their openness to different cultures, and their ability to adapt to change, as well as the internal diversity structure within the organization, the number of expats employed, and the employment conditions of their international staff.
Diane Lemieux gives us an overview of some of the options available in the Netherlands.

International Education in the Netherlands - Schools and Universities
How and where you get your education can influence the course of the rest of your life. If your family has been sent here by an employer and you need to find a school for your children, or if you have come here to pursue a higher education, you need to know what the local system is, what options there are and what to consider when making your choice. This article will help you on your way, starting with schools and the Dutch school system and continuing with university education, covering topics such as bachelor’s/master’s degrees, study grants (also for refugees and asylum seekers), cost of living, international education, and choosing a university.
www.sio.nl
www.studyin.nl
www.ibo.org

Learn Dutch – Speak Like a Local
The Dutch, with their multi-lingual capabilities, are so accommodating that it hardly seems worth the effort to learn the Dutch language, given that worldwide, a mere 22 million people speak it. Dutch language skills however, will open up new levels of communication and are the key to understanding the people of Holland, their culture, politics, and humour, as well as those subtle nuances of meaning hidden between their words.
Being able to comprehend the world around you reduces alienation, helps with integration and enables you to share your thoughts and needs more adequately. There are many possibilities for learning Dutch, ranging from free online courses, to private lessons and language institutes.
Consult this article for an overview of your options and a few useful tips.
Connie Moser, e-mail: connie-moser@now-we-know.com

EXPAT LIVING

Alone at Home - Short-Term Assignments
As the global work force is growing, many companies are increasingly opting to send their employees on short-term assignments, or STAs, whereby the employee is sent to work in another country, while the partner stays at home (with the children).
Recently, British writer Marian Weston researched the topic and its effects from a family perspective. Her compilation of responses gleaned from over 50 questionnaires completed by expat partners − coupled with her family’s own experiences − formed the basis for her new book; Alone at Home, The Practical Guide for Those Coping Alone.
In this article, an interview with the author.
Connie Moser, e-mail: connie.moser@now-we-know.com

COLUMN

Street Wise
How can you raise your kids in Amsterdam? It’s a question I get a lot.
A lot of people who don’t know much about my adopted city assume that the city is one big red light district, populated by prostitutes, drug dealers, euthanasia clinics, football players and gays living in matrimonial bliss.
Even my Dutch in-laws who live in a smallish town in the south of Holland have their own preconceptions about the capital. They see Amsterdam as a crazy, congested place that moves too fast and is too big.
Why not move out of the city and get a house with some land in a place with some space? Why not move to Almere or Alkmaar?
Never!
Andrew Moskos is owner and founder of the Amsterdam comedy show Boom Chicago.
For more see www.boomchicago.nl

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