Policy advisor wants welfare system to emphasize trust, not employment

The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) has called for major reforms to the Dutch Participation Act, urging the government to focus more on trust and less on pushing people into paid employment. The SCP's new report highlights that about one-third of welfare recipients are not capable of holding a paid job, and the system should better support these individuals.

The study, Trust in Welfare, emphasizes that while the current law aims to move people off welfare by guiding them into jobs, many recipients face personal or health challenges that make this goal unrealistic. "The current law is primarily aimed at helping people find jobs, but around one-third of welfare recipients are not capable of holding a paid position," said SCP Director Karen van Oudenhoven. "We must address the issue of trust, which is vital for real progress.”

The report is based on interviews with welfare recipients, municipal policy staff, and case managers. It calls for a more flexible welfare system that recognizes the diverse needs of recipients and tailors support accordingly. The SCP believes that by prioritizing trust and addressing quality of life, the welfare system can become more inclusive and effective.

Not everyone can work

The SCP argues that for many recipients, the focus should shift away from employment toward improving their quality of life. "Fortunately, many welfare recipients can successfully transition to work," Van Oudenhoven said. "But there’s also a significant group for whom immediate employment isn’t possible, though they can still contribute to society in other ways, such as volunteering."

For the most vulnerable recipients—those facing severe challenges like chronic illness or mental health issues—neither work nor volunteering may be realistic. The SCP recommends that welfare policies for this group should prioritize personal well-being. "When someone is doing well personally, society benefits as a whole," Van Oudenhoven added.

Mutual distrust blocks support

One of the key obstacles identified in the report is the mutual distrust between welfare recipients and the government. Many recipients feel they are treated as potential fraudsters, with intrusive monitoring that makes them hesitant to fully disclose their struggles. This lack of trust prevents case managers from offering the right support.

"If the government wants to rebuild trust, it must change the way it views welfare recipients," Van Oudenhoven said. “There’s too much focus on surveillance, and that undermines the relationship needed to help people improve their lives.”

The SCP’s findings come as the Dutch government is revising the Participation Act, which is currently under review in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch Parliament. The proposed changes, which shift away from a strict focus on employment, are backed by the SCP’s research.