Interreg

An integrated cross-border labour market is of particular importance for the stimulation of economic growth in the border areas. Main obstacles to labour mobility are insufficient language knowledge and different social security and fiscal systems, as well as insufficient information. In order to improve this, the Border Information Points (BIPs) have been set up along the Dutch-German-Belgian border. With their vast expertise, the BIPs support employers and employees in individual questions concerning employment and application procedures in a cross-border context and make an important contribution to the fading of national borders.

Unfortunately, the corona crisis meant that borders became an issue again. The corona measures of the individual countries led to bottlenecks, a lot of confusion and stress among employees and employers.

The Taskforce between Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium set up by the Staatskanzlei NRW (fed with information from the working group (the Coronacrisis Team), in which the BIPs also participate) has brought many a bottleneck to the Ministries’ attention. A solution was found for many. If (unfortunately) no solution was found, clarity was provided for employees and employers.

The corona crisis has given a boost to the awareness of the BIPs. In the coming years, the BIPs will continue to work on behalf of employees and employers so that the cross-border labour market, and thus the economic growth in the border areas can continue.