Támas’ Tamas and Anna’s Better Job

Imagine this: you live with your family in your home country, Hungary. You work hard, but the two jobs you have are not enough to support your family. You fall short every month. You know that the working conditions in the Netherlands are better, and that there is plenty of work available. So, you decide to leave your wife and two children behind and go work in the Netherlands for a certain period. “Build a buffer” to then return and look forward to a better future in Hungary. But things turned out a bit differently for Tamàs, Anna, and their children Alex and Tamàs Jr. How did this exactly unfold? You can read about it in this blog.

 

Two jobs

We meet Tamàs and Anna in the beautiful city of Deventer. Not coincidentally, this is also where their new life began. Tamàs says: “Here in Deventer, I walked into Logistic Force on a Saturday during a special Job Day because I had seen an advertisement for the position of concrete mixer driver. I had a nice conversation with Eelco Koster, the recruitment coordinator, and after that, things moved quickly. I’ve been working as a concrete mixer driver for a while now.” When we ask about his previous situation in Hungary, Tamàs tells us that he had two jobs and still wasn’t earning enough to support his family. “It was a tough time, and we couldn’t keep our heads above water. I enjoy working hard, but I simply wasn’t earning enough. I heard that there is plenty of work in the Netherlands and that the working conditions are good here. After a long discussion with Anna, I took the chance and moved to the Netherlands.”

 

I had to choose between my job and my family. Yet, I chose both.

 

Choosing between job and family

A difficult time comes for the family. The father works in the Netherlands, while the mother stays in Hungary with two children. The longing is immense. To make matters worse, Anna is cut off from various allowances and subsidies. The reason? Her husband works abroad, and then she can no longer claim them in Hungary. Instead of making it easier, it becomes more difficult. “I didn’t know what to do. I was alone and felt desperate,” Anna says. Tamàs adds, “I actually had to choose between my job in the Netherlands and my family. Still, I chose both.” Tamàs brought his wife and children here. “Not easy, but the best choice.”

 

Dutch is similar to German

A few years later, they both found good jobs through Logistic Force. He works during the day, and she works at night, so there is always someone at home for the children. Both Michelle and Eelco from the Deventer branch have done their utmost to find suitable jobs for them. “Hard work is one thing, but finding ‘Your Better Job’ – as we call it at Logistic Force – is still difficult when there is a language barrier, for example. Fortunately, Tamàs and Anna quickly mastered the Dutch language. It’s impressive how fast they picked it up,” says Eelco.

Tamàs downplays the compliment: “We learned it through the German language, which is quite similar to Dutch. That’s part of it when you move to another country. You have to adopt the language and customs.” When asked about their current work, they both start to shine. “I’ve really found my place as a concrete mixer driver. I even recently took a skid course with a concrete mixer through Logistic Force. It was amazing! And now I’m looking within the company at what else I could and want to do. If you want, there’s always work,” says Tamàs. “And I started as a warehouse employee, helping with loading and unloading trucks. I’m now also working in the office. I do some simple administrative tasks, answer the phone, and send messages to colleagues. It’s nice to do that extra work. That way, I can make some extra hours,” laughs Anna.

Taking the burden off

Logistic Force has meant a lot to Tamàs and Anna throughout their entire journey, and they are very firm about that. “It’s not just about finding a suitable job, the personal contact, and the pleasant working method – it goes much further. They really took the burden off us.” When asked for an example, Tamàs recalls a recent situation. “Our car broke down and had to go to the garage. That immediately caused a transportation problem, of course. Logistic Force arranged a loan car for the first few days so that we had time to find another solution.” But Anna also remembers another situation. “They also helped us with the Debt Assistance process. Making contacts, making phone calls, making inquiries. Everything to help us. Fortunately, that period is behind us now, but I certainly haven’t forgotten it.”

 

Future plans

When asked what the future holds for them, there’s a moment of silence. “We don’t look too far ahead. We’ve learned not to. We take it as it comes and we’re happy with our life now,” says Tamàs. “The children are developing well here. They go to school, have part-time jobs. We’re happy, what more could a mother want?” Anna says. They are clearly grateful for the opportunities they’ve been given. But when we press a little further, Anna talks about her hobby. She collects and grows rare houseplants. Exotic species that you don’t easily encounter. She knows a lot about it and begins speaking passionately about this dream. “I would like to do something more with it. Maybe start a business alongside my temp job. It could be a nice extra.” But Tamàs also secretly knows what his dreams are for the future. “I want to continue developing within the company where I work now. I actually want to be able to fill almost all the roles within the company. That way, I can step in when needed, and occasionally work more hours.”