Minister waters down law against discrimination in job applications

Outgoing minister Karien van Gennip (Social Affairs and Employment) is weakening the law to decrease discrimination in job application procedures. The stricter rules would initially have applied to companies with over 25 employees. She adjusted that lower limit to 50 employees. The Minister hopes that this will help the Senate agree to the law when it votes on it on Tuesday.

Employers and recruitment agencies covered by the law will have to record how they handle job applications to prevent discrimination. Every applicant must be treated in the same objective manner. In practice, that means that an advertisement for a job must have neutral text and that all applicants are asked the same questions, for example. The Labor Inspectorate will monitor compliance.

Several factions in the Senate - including the VVD and ChristenUnie - are concerned about the administrative burdens for small businesses caused by the rules. Van Gennip announced at the beginning of March that she would, therefore, give companies two more years to adapt until, July 2027.

The Minister adjusted her proposal again on Monday. With this, she hopes to get the critical parties on her side. In the new situation, 4 percent of employers must comply with the rules. The law then applies to 69 percent of jobs. According to the Minister, this means that it is still possible to set a new standard. She hopes to motivate smaller companies to combat discrimination in job application procedures on a voluntary basis.

The Senate will vote on the proposed changes on Tuesday. Van Gennip promised to incorporate them into a new bill that she will submit after her law has been adopted.