Dutch agencies seek to end penalty payments to citizens
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Several Dutch government organizations are collaborating to eliminate the financial penalties they must pay citizens when procedures take too long.
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the Benefits Service, and the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) discussed ways to avoid these legal obligations, according to an email obtained by Trouw. These penalties were established by law in 2009. The IND currently pays the most in penalties, already reaching nearly 100 million euros this year.
The agencies state they cannot speed up decision-making due to high workloads and staffing shortages. Members of the Dutch House of Representatives have debated the penalties, and in summer 2023, the House approved changes to the Aliens Act. If the Senate approves the amended law, asylum seekers will no longer be entitled to a penalty if the IND delays their case. The Senate is expected to consider the proposal on September 22.
Minister Vijlbrief of Social Affairs and Employment also stated a desire to eliminate penalties for delays in UWV decisions. Details of the specific discussions between the government officials remain unknown.
