Minister seeks inquiry into benefit fines for non-Dutch surnames

People with non-Dutch surnames are more likely to receive fines from the Dutch benefits agency UWV, according to an internal analysis. The ministry of Social Affairs, led by Hans Vijlbrief, has called for a thorough investigation and appropriate measures to be taken. The analysis, which divided 1,682 case files into Dutch and non-Dutch surnames, found that in the Alkmaar, Amsterdam and Utrecht region, 44% of the people in the files had a non-Dutch surname but received 74% of the fines.

The southern district saw 36% of non-Dutch surnames with 71% of the fines. The authors recommended further research, but it was never carried out. The UWV maintains that the criterion was never used and has been officially removed, but former staff have described racist remarks within the agency, with some managers referred to as the "Arab League."

Political reaction from various parties has been vehement, with accusations of institutional racism. The UWV's new chairman, Abdeluheb Choho, apologized for discriminatory remarks made by some staff. The agency has also asked for reports of discrimination to be submitted to integriteit@uwv.nl, with a separate external study on equal treatment planned for later this year.