Social capital and the labour market integration experiences of Afghan refugees in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This study explores the access and use of social capital by Afghan refugees for their labour market integration in the Netherlands. Using a qualitative research method, I conducted 32 interviews with Afghan refugees who arrived in the Netherlands as part of different migration waves, obtained refugee status and integrated into the Dutch labour market for the first time. The findings reveal that Afghan refugees have access and use different types of social capital for support in their labour market integration process to a varying degree. The support from vertical bridging was found to be the most used and helpful form of social capital for many Afghan refugees in preparing for and entering into the Dutch labour market. No case of refugees who entered the Dutch labour market directly through the support from vertical bonding social capital was found. Moreover, it was found that access and use of different forms of social capital alone have no substantial impact on securing adequate employment and/or occupational status; however, there are also several other important factors.