International Freelancers: A Talent Scarcity Solution

The Growing Market for Freelance Internationals (and How They Can Help Solve Your Staffing Shortages)

More and more internationals are living in the Netherlands, and many of them are eager to work as freelancers, notes Mark van der Velden (U-Connect). “We believe this can be a major solution for today’s labor market shortages.”

Platforms that connect freelancers with clients already exist in many forms. But a platform specifically aimed at the large international community living in the Netherlands? U-Connect, the platform launched last year by Undutchables, is very likely the first of its kind. And according to Operational Manager, Mark van der Velden, it meets a clearly growing need. “We saw a strong demand for this from our clients. But we also saw a clear need on the international side - many internationals are increasingly interested in freelancing here.”

Even though the internationally oriented and open character of the Netherlands may be politically sensitive at the moment, Van der Velden says the reality for Dutch businesses looks very different.

“The entire labor market is globalising,” he explains. “More and more foreign companies are coming to the Netherlands, and English is becoming the working language in many organisations. So the demand is definitely there. The challenge until recently was that internationals who wanted to freelance struggled to find entry points. With U-Connect, we wanted to solve that by offering an accessible way to connect supply and demand.”

Open and Inclusive

Due in part to the commotion surrounding the Dutch Wet DBA legislation, the platform had what Van der Velden calls a “slow start,” but momentum is building, and the first success stories are already emerging. Examples include a Dutch-based HR manager setting up HR policies for global offices, and a French-speaking manager preparing new French branches for a Dutch company. The platform can match highly specific language or cultural needs quickly and effectively according to Van der Velden.

“We want the platform to be open to everyone” Van der Velden says. “The types of roles we mediate are so diverse that you need a broad, inclusive database. There’s something for everyone-so long as there’s an international link.” Most internationals on the platform already have experience in the Netherlands, he adds. “Many arrive as expats or highly skilled migrants but decide later on that they want to freelance.”

Highly Motivated and Highly Qualified

And this is something the Dutch labor market urgently needs, he believes. “You really limit yourself as an organisation if you insist on only Dutch-speaking or Dutch-born candidates. By being open to internationals, you massively widen your talent pool and can grow much faster. The longer your vacancy remains open, the more you will lose money. We believe that international freelancers are a great solution for today’s labor shortages. These are people who are generally highly motivated and highly qualified. Most companies benefit hugely from that.”

He also sees this trend clearly in the market: “The demand for international freelancers is high-and I don’t expect it to fall anytime soon. We simply need them.” Additionally, U-Connect has another major advantage over platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Malt, “Our freelancers live in or near the Netherlands. They can come into your office. They understand Dutch work culture. That makes collaboration far more efficient than trying to do everything remotely.”

One-stop-shop

U-Connect was designed primarily as a self-service platform, allowing clients and freelancers to connect quickly-without intermediaries. But Van der Velden’s vision goes further.

He dreams of expanding U-Connect into a complete one-stop-shop for internationals, offering support on topics like BSN numbers, housing, and relocation to help freelancers settle more easily in the Netherlands. “But for now, we are focusing our efforts on the freelance platform and matching supply and demand first.”

“30 years ago Undutchables was the first in the Netherlands to focus the mediation of internationals for temporary and permanent roles, and now U-Connect is the first to do this for international freelancers. This is going to become a very large market - we’re convinced of that. This is a huge opportunity, also for companies-helping them find the right candidate who may not speak Dutch yet, but absolutely has the right skills. We are convinced that this is going to be a huge market, one that many companies can profit hugely from by finding the right candidate who may not speak Dutch yet, but who has the right qualities and skills.”