Young people under the age of 27 years are no longer eligible for benefits, but must instead work, study or combine these two activities. The youth wing of the Dutch Trade Union Federation, FNV Jong, is highly critical of this measure and views it as a form of age discrimination. In financial terms, the plan means that young people will end up being below the breadline and that social security will be abolished for everyone aged under 27 years.
From 2008, young people under the age of 27 years are no longer eligible to receive social security benefits, but must instead work, study or combine the two activities. Up until the end of 2007, young people aged between 18 and 27 years could apply for benefits. At the end of April 2007, some 29,000 young people aged under 27 years received benefits, 4,275 of whom were under the age of 21 years. The new measure will only apply to young people who actually register at their local authority, although registration is not compulsory.
Obligation to work or study
Local authorities are now obliged to offer those aged under 27 years – who are unemployed and/or not attending school and who apply for assistance – the option to work or study, or a combination of both. The particular option will be tailored to meet the individual’s needs; however, if they refuse to accept the offer, the local authority will not grant them benefits.
The Council of Ministers agreed to this plan, which was put forward by the State Secretary of Social Affairs and Employment, Ahmed Aboutaleb, on behalf of the ministers of finance, education, culture and science, and youth and families. The work/study obligation was announced in the 2007 coalition agreement, and the Dutch cabinet hopes that the measure will encourage as many young people as possible to either find a job or study. The measure also seeks to prevent young people from becoming too dependent on social benefits. The aim is that young people will at least be able to attain a basic qualification – such as diplomas which provide a gateway to higher training opportunities – if they are capable of doing so.
Exceptions to obligation
An exception is made for young people who cannot work or study, for example those who are disabled or single parents. Mr Aboutaleb is urging that single parents are at least required to study; however, this group will still be eligible to receive financial support. The level of financial support will be determined on the basis of other forms of social assistance, including study grants for upper secondary vocational education (Middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO) of around €700 a month.
Trade union cites age discrimination
The youth wing of the Dutch Trade Union Federation (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging, FNV), called FNV Jong, is highly critical of the new measure. In financial terms, FNV Jong insists that the plan will mean that young people will end up being below the breadline. Moreover, social security will be abolished for everyone under the age of 27 years. According to FNV Jong, this amounts to age discrimination and is clearly a cutback measure. The Chair of FNV Jong, Judith Ploegman, argues that young people could, as a result, be forced to accept work below their qualification level. Although the organisation is strongly in favour of young people availing of opportunities in the labour market, it believes that the proposal is too vague on this point. FNV Jong also underlines the fact that there is no mention of quality standards that local authorities should be required to provide, including in relation to the offers that they must make to young people.
Marianne Grünell, Hugo Sinzheimer Institute (HSI)