Work in the Netherlands for women: ABflexkracht has it!

Would you like to work in the Netherlands as a woman? You might think agricultural work is tough and mainly for men. That’s not the case. At ABflexkracht, many international women from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and other European countries have been working for years. In this article, you’ll read which jobs are available, what to expect as a temporary worker, and what you should arrange in advance.

There is plenty of work for women in the Dutch green sector. Our jobs are often light, clean and require precision. Think of working with flowers and plants in heated greenhouses. You don’t have to stand in the mud or lift heavy things. Instead, you do pleasant work: packing flowers, caring for orchids or sorting young plants. Warehouse work is also an option; well-organized and never too physically demanding.

An example: Ewa from Poland works with us at an orchid nursery. Her day looks like this:

“I thought jobs in the Netherlands were only heavy work. But here I take care of beautiful flowers in a warm greenhouse. It smells wonderful and my hands stay clean.”

→ This is how more and more women find their ideal job through ABflexkracht. We have been around for more than 55 years and help international women find a nice job in the Netherlands every day.

When you decide to work in the Netherlands through ABflexkracht, you’re not on your own. We feel responsible for your well-being, both at work and beyond. What do we offer?

You get a fair wage under the official Dutch collective labour agreement (CAO). Every Thursday, the money is in your account. If CAO wages go up, your wage rises automatically.

We arrange neat, safe accommodation near your workplace. You usually live with other female colleagues in a pleasant house or apartment. All housing meets Dutch standards and is officially certified (SNF).

Travel to and from work is taken care of. If you live nearby, you’ll get a bicycle. If it’s further away, we provide transport by car. You always arrive safely and on time.

You receive personal support in your own language. Our staff speak Polish, Bulgarian, Dutch and English. There is always someone to help you, even outside office hours when it’s really necessary.”

You can take various courses: Dutch language lessons, job-related training such as flower arranging or bulb cultivation, and safety courses (VCA). Are you motivated? Then we are happy to invest in your development. Even advancing to a supervisory position is possible for women (and men).

Never worked in the agricultural sector before? That’s not a problem. You’ll learn everything step by step, and your colleagues will gladly help you. The most important thing is that you’re motivated to work and to learn.

→ For example, our female employees work in floriculture, where they perform logistical tasks. This type of light work is ideal: not physically demanding, in a pleasant environment, and as part of a team. At ABflexkracht, you’re never on your own.

We want to emphasize once again: experience is not required to work with us in the Netherlands as a woman. In the green sector, you learn most things simply by doing.

For example, if you work with flowers and plants, you’ll learn on the job how to bundle flowers, cut stems and pack bouquets. If you work in a warehouse, you’ll learn how to collect products and prepare orders. Experienced colleagues will stand beside you and show you everything. As long as you’re willing to work hard and learn new things, you’ll be fine. Dutch employers in the agricultural sector mainly look at your commitment and enthusiasm, not at the experience on your CV.

Do you already have experience? Then that’s a plus, and you may progress more quickly. But without experience, we make sure you learn all the necessary skills. You’ll start with simple tasks and gradually take on more responsibility. In addition, we offer courses to help you continue developing yourself.

No, that’s not a problem at all. The language barrier doesn’t have to hold you back. It’s not necessary to speak Dutch to work in the Netherlands. Especially in the sectors where ABflexkracht is active, such as horticulture, open field cultivation, production and engineering, international teams work together. Your colleagues may speak English, Polish or Bulgarian, for example.

Would you still like to learn Dutch? We’ll be happy to help you with a language course. This way, you can improve your skills, which is useful if you want to stay in the Netherlands longer. But even without speaking Dutch, you are more than welcome with us. So don’t let the Dutch language stop you from coming to work in the Netherlands as a woman.

Moving to the Netherlands for work as a woman is a big step, but you’re not on your own. At ABflexkracht, many women from abroad are already working: from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and other European countries. You’ll often find that your colleagues come from the same region as you, or that they are also temporary workers. You can support each other and share experiences. In addition, you can always count on our guidance in your own language.

We understand that moving to another country can feel exciting and uncertain. That’s why we arrange most things together:

• Your housing and transport.
• Your BSN number (needed for taxes, salary and insurance).
• Health insurance, for example with HollandZorg.
• Practical guidance about life in the Netherlands, from the supermarket to the doctor.

Do you already have questions about your job or life in the Netherlands? Feel free to ask them.

Before you can start working in the Netherlands as a woman, there are a few things you need to have in order. Fortunately, we’ll help you with this. What do you need?

• A valid passport or ID card. Without valid identification, you cannot work. Are you from an EU country (such as Poland, Romania or Bulgaria)? Then you don’t need a visa or work permit to work in the Netherlands. Within the EU, you can work freely wherever you want.
• A BSN (Citizen Service Number). This personal number is required for working in the Netherlands. With a BSN you can receive your salary, pay taxes, open a bank account and take out health insurance. Don’t have a BSN yet? No problem—we’ll help you arrange it as soon as you arrive in the Netherlands. Shortly after arrival, you can go to the town hall to register. We’ll guide you through the process.
• Health insurance. Health insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands. You must take out insurance within a few weeks after your arrival. We can advise you on taking out a policy and which providers are suitable. For EU temporary workers, we often recommend HollandZorg.

→ Once you’ve arranged all this (with our help if needed), you’re ready to start working in the Netherlands through ABflexkracht! Together, we’ll check that all documents are in order so you can begin without worries.

Are you ready to start your career in the Netherlands as a woman? Then take a look at our current job vacancies and apply directly for a role that appeals to you. Before you know it, you’ll be starting your new adventure in the Netherlands.

Do you have any questions or would you like more information about working at ABflexkracht? Then contact us via telephone number +31(0)297 383 400 or send an email to recruitment@abflexkracht.nl. We will be happy to assist you!

Can I easily find work at ABflexkracht as a woman?
Yes! We have many jobs in horticulture, floriculture, plant production and logistics. This is often light, precise work that suits women well. You can start right away, even without experience.

How much do I earn in the Netherlands as a woman through ABflexkracht?
You earn at least the CAO wage for your sector. This is usually between €12 – 15 per hour, depending on your experience and position. Allowances for evening and weekend work are added on top.

How quickly can I start working in the Netherlands as a woman through ABflexkracht?
Often within a few days. As soon as you contact us, we’ll discuss your preferences. We arrange housing and transport quickly. In most cases, you can start within a week!