Discrimination in the Netherlands
Both DutchReview and Dutch news sites have been reporting a lot on discrimination in the Netherlands. These are usually centered around discrimination regarding the nationality of the individual. However, the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens) has received a record number of complaints last year. The complaints are showing that there is evidence of discrimination across the board. And that’s really not good.
Increase of disabled people reporting discrimination
Today RTL reports that 810 disabled people went to the institute last year to complain about discrimination. This is in comparison to 579 in 2016 and 342 in 2015. So, it’s clear to see that it’s rising considerably. They even reported situations such as a zoo refusing a guide dog to enter and a bus driver not helping a disabled person get onto the bus. In the end 46 complaints were ruled and 20 concluded that discrimination took place. It’s important to remember that it’s hard in some cases to prove that discrimination occurred. As a result, many complaints never go anywhere. Some are also resolved without needing to take it any further, so they don’t make the statistics.
The number of reports overall are a good enough indication that people feel that they are not treated equally to other peers.
What about discrimination in general?
Out of all discrimination cases, a massive 4,259 were reported. Surprisingly (or not) 35% of all of these complaints were complaints from pregnant women. Some of these complaints involved lack of help and train complaints. I’ve been seeing endless complaints on Facebook groups that they have been made to stand up in the train, despite being heavily pregnant, which isn’t safe. Some are even resulting in wearing badges to tell everyone they are pregnant (as if the belly isn’t giving it away to commuters). That’s something I’ve definitely noticed personally, despite the reports suggesting similar.
Racial discrimination actually dropped from 26% to 16%, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that racial discrimination is becoming less prominent. A increase of complaints in general, and with the high increase of people reporting discrimination from something other than racial matters, means that the overall percentage decreases. This isn’t exactly great either, as it just shows that more and more people feel discriminated against, across the board.
Wider implications
There’s nothing good about reports showing that discrimination is appearing to be more prominent in Dutch society. We’ve discussed discrimination extensively in the past, and we’re hoping it’s something that shouldn’t be prominent enough to discuss any more.
Hopefully the increase of reports is not just because discrimination is getting worse, but it’s because people feel empowered to come forward and report it. Even so, it shouldn’t really be happening in the first place.
We’ll see how the stats change over the next year, but it’s sad news to see today all the same.
How do you feel about this and discrimination in the Netherlands in general? Let us know in the comments!
Hello,
Nice article, I am an expat living in the Netherlands and I also experience a lot of discrimination in various sectors within the Netherlands, workplace was the first place where I was discriminated against, now I cannot tell the reasoning behind being discriminated i.e race/religion, but for sure I was being and still am being discriminated against. The worse part I am not sure who can help me with this, as the discrimination is done in a stealth way. This is terrible considering Netherlands is suppose to be a liberal progressive country.
Dutch society is discriminating. Be it HR, recruitment agencies, management, colleagues- if you are not Dutch, your life is miserable. They will not allow you to grow in terms of career, position or in any other manner. Basically Dutch are quite coward by nature. They dont like competition (though they portray otherwise). Its a cocoon society. Just look at linkedin and profile of people working at high positions. Just graduates with internship experiences are moved up to senior positions while non-Dutch experienced and qualified people are working under them. Its sad but this is THE reality of Dutch society. IT IS STILL A VILLAGE WITH RURAL MENTALITY- MY CASTE- MY PEOPLE- MY RELIGION
Totally agree with you. I also have faced a lot of discrimination at University and now at work.
I agree with you as I have been in this too. Really sad. I thought it was a libaral society, that was the attraction to come to school in the Netherlands.
I Agree 100% , I am here for 15 hears and I sofer every day, I don’t now what to do?
Don’t let people do that, You tell them what is right and what is wrong. Do this to and extent where you will not get in trouble and or hurt. In that case you go on to court. Without the proper proof people can e racist and sadly get away. There is not much we can do now days but stand up for what is right, and turn them in for hate crime. Hope this stops have a nice life.
My name is Patrick Ford. I am located in zaandam on business with my partner, also here on business. We we’re recently denied entry to a bar (not intoxicated) for no other reason then the fact that we spoke English to bouncers. We were mean to meet friends inside. Two bouncers who did not disclose that they worked for the establishment refused our entry because “we were not from here” and given no other reason. We waited outside civilly and within minutes I was punched in the face 4 times and shoved back and thrown on the ground while people (local people screamed for our safety and mistreatment)Shortly after I was arrested and harresased by police. I hav been traveling for work consecutively for 3 years. Many countries I visit are far less advanced than the Netherlands and yet I have never been treated more poorly by the police (polite) than I have been in this country. I am truly disgusted with the actions of the employees of Cafe Noire in Zaandam and the local authorities. I will be investigating further.
Hi i was working in Nederland many years since 2007 but last time when i was working there i meet real discrimination in 20015/2016 young people was screaming “go away from here””go back home””mense verkooper- thats means that im snitch seeling people”even small childreen in age 8-10 years was when they saw me they was screaming”ahhhhh jude is coming” and runed away on bicycles,Im from Poland not from Israel and im polish not jewish but somebody i think took my photo from facebook and put on public side in NL and described me as jewish,its hard too proof all those things but its truth,i dont want work in NL anymore because of that,im too recognizable for people in NL and i dont feel good with this,even on big concert called “FLYING DUTCH” where was tousends of people i become problems because of my nationality,NL is bad country for outsiders thay will use u and cheat you by work agency”uitzenbiuro”,i have bad memmories from NL and begging in 2007 was beautifull i must say ,i get respect for my hard work but many years later suddenly everything has changed.
I am British.
I came to the Nederlands over 20 years ago for work. Leaving my family behind.
I have not seen for 12 years.
There was no escape from bi-polar and fatigue/ depression/ fibromyalgia/ pain/ sleep apnea/ mood changes/ concentration / focus problems/.
75 failed employment later I am 80% 100% written off from working.
The health team treating me for my issues.
1) Go back to your own country and work you will feel better.( Psychiatrist)
2) Your only here for money from the Nederlands.( health support worker)
3) Benefits support worker ooowww your another 1 that comes with his hand open for money.
4) Be greatful you can live in the Nederlands and be sick and get money for doing nothing.
So many professionals have discriminated me for my disability telling me I need a kick in my Arse.
I wish I never came to this awful country
that discriminate everyone for disability.
Forgot to mention.
When I was able to work a few hours for a company with people with disabilities.
My boss never called me by name.
Englishman or islandwooner.
I was often told to go back to my own country.
My confidence what I once had has been destroyed.
I feel guilty for my disabilities health issues.
This country has no compassion for anyone.
For me it’s the casual xenophobia. It’s fairly systemic.
Hmm… what can I say? It seemed to be so good when I came on holiday and was spending money everywhere I went like I had a hole in my hand. They all treated me with respect and always smiling. I visited nearly 20 times because it was so nice and welcoming. I felt free and happy. I then met a Dutch man and fell in love and we got married and now I happen to live here. Now my experience is totally different. I can’t spend so much money anymore because I am still looking for a job and nobody would hire me. I have to pass exams to interegrate and I don’t speak fluent Dutch. I also can’t look after myself like I did before ( skin clinics, fillers, nice cloths, nice shoes, expensive stuff) because I don’t have the job I did before. Now I feel poor and they treat me like I am a refugee. It’s terrible. I think it takes time to settle down here and really get used to really living here. It’s not a multicultural society and they have their own norms. My husband is 100% Dutch and even he has to do so much to be accepted by the society. I don’t understand how to please these people and I think it’s impossible. I have given up. I don’t say hi to anyone first on the street. I wait until they say Hi and then I say it because it’s terrible when I don’t get any replies and they even frown at me specially old people. I’ve lived in 3 countries before and now it feels heavy because now I’m married and I have to live here forever and I can’t move anywhere anymore but I have courage to be disliked but sometimes I don’t and I feel sad. We have a baby also now by the way and he’s mixed. When we go to places like play garden I feel really sad because when I enter suddenly everyone leaves quickly away from me. My 1 1/2 old son noticed even and he was looking at them leaving and it was terrible. Why do people have to do this? I didn’t come here for money. My family was rich and I also had a good job and do they think I came here to get their money or something? Not only that, so much criticism from the in laws. They made many rude remarks and I stopped talking to them because I really have no room for hurtful comments apart from everything I go through in the society.
I feel often suffocated but believe me my 100% white and Dutch husband also feels this. Why do they do this to themselves? Why so much judgement? Why so much hate? Why can’t they just be free? Mind their own business and not gossip about every little thing they see? What a pathetic place this is? But if you’re so rich then they keep quiet. I guess.