Minister Seeks Inquiry Into Benefit Fines for Non-Dutch Surnames - DutchNews.nl
An internal analysis of 1,682 case files found non-Dutch surnames got 74% of fines in one region and 71% in another, officials said.
- On Monday, reports revealed that the UWV fraud unit fined individuals with non-Dutch surnames more frequently and harshly, based on an internal analysis of 1,682 case files held since December.
- In the Alkmaar, Amsterdam, and Utrecht region, people with non-Dutch surnames received 74% of fines despite representing 44% of files, while the southern district showed 71% of penalties for 36% of cases.
- Staff reported internal racism, including derogatory references to an "Arab League" and comments about Moroccans, while a 2015 work instruction explicitly listed "Country of origin" as a risk characteristic until mid-2026.
- Social affairs minister Hans Vijlbrief demanded a thorough investigation, while UWV chairman Abdeluheb Choho apologized for discriminatory remarks as MPs from D66, Denk, and Pro condemned the agency.
- A separate external study into equal treatment is scheduled for later this year, while the UWV stated the analysis was not scientific and lawyer Ayhan Kara considers filing a criminal complaint.
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18 Articles
The revelation regarding discrimination at the UWV is rightly causing a great deal of uproar. Unfortunately, it happens all too often that the government is not neutral. A cultural shift is sorely needed, writes our political reporter Laurens Kok.
Research shows that the UWV imposes more and higher fines on people with a bicultural surname. Discrimination also occurs in the workplace, report the AD and EenVandaag.
Reformatorisch Dagblad
Minister of Social Affairs Hans Vijlbrief wants a thorough investigation into the unfair treatment of people with a bicultural surname by the UWV during fraud investigations. "I want this to be investigated to the bottom."
Racism at UWV: People with bicultural names get more, higher fines
Racism, discrimination, and ethnic profiling are part of the culture at the social assistance agency UWV, EenVandaag and AD found in internal documents and discussions with former and current employees. Citizens with non-Dutch surnames get more and higher fines.
People with a non-Dutch surname not only receive a fine at the UWV more often than people with a Dutch surname, they are on average ...
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