Government bodies collaborate to scrap their penalty payments

Government bodies have been collaborating to potentially eliminate the financial penalties they owe for missing deadlines, according to an investigation by Trouw newspaper. The immigration service IND, benefits agency UWV, and tax office's benefits branch have been in contact to explore whether they can push for a legal change, eliminating fines for failing to meet their obligations.

Emails and memos obtained via freedom of information requests reveal an IND adviser discussing the possibility of abolishing penalties for the entire administrative law with a counterpart at the tax office last year. Since 2009, late applicants for permits, benefits, or allowances have been entitled to receive remedial payments if the relevant agency fails to make a decision within the legal timeframe and then again within two weeks.

The immigration agency IND is the largest payer, having disbursed nearly €100 million in the first half of this year, primarily on asylum cases. Some individual claimants have received over €100,000 in penalties. The agencies blame staff shortages and increased caseloads for their inability to meet deadlines. In March, MPs from various parties voted to scrap court-imposed penalties for immigration cases.

The Senate is set to debate the matter on September 22. Social affairs minister Hans Vijlbrief has expressed a similar desire for UWV. An IND spokesperson stated that the agency is in communication with others facing similar issues and exchanging experiences.