News item | 22-12-2023 | 14:47
We have a safety net in the Netherlands for people who are going through bad times. For example, someone who loses his or her job is entitled to benefits under the Unemployment Act (WW). That is an important asset. At the same time, Minister Van Gennip of Social Affairs and Employment wants to gain more insight into what works best to help people with unemployment benefits find a job again. That is why the minister will give the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) legal scope for a large-scale and multi-year investigation into the obligation to make efforts within the Unemployment Benefit Act. This research examines the effects of this duty and possible options for an alternative, with more attention to the situation of individual people.
The effectiveness of the obligation to make efforts to help people find a new job is often the subject of discussion. Because little research has been done into this in the context of the WW, no firm statements can be made about this. There is also a lack of research into alternatives to the current interpretation and design of the obligation to make efforts. That is why Minister Van Gennip wants to give UWV the (legal) space to conduct research into 3 variants. WW’ers are selected at random and decide for themselves whether to participate in one of the 2 variants. If they decide not to participate, they automatically fall into the ‘control group’:
- For the 1st group – the so-called control group – the regular job application obligation applies as an interpretation of the obligation to make an effort and its enforcement. This involves 4 application activities per 4 weeks (unless otherwise agreed).
- An alternative interpretation of the obligation to make an effort applies to the 2nd group, in which there are no obligations in terms of applying for jobs and no enforcement in that area. This group is therefore allowed to look for work on its own initiative. Regular support and services from UWV are offered to this group.
- For the 3rd group, agreements are made on the application activities at an individual level, based on a personal interview and an action plan that unemployment benefit recipients draw up themselves. These agreements are also maintained and they also receive regular support from UWV.
The intended start of the research is mid-2024 and the research will last approximately 4 years. UWV carries out the research and an independent agency analyzes the results and draws up a research report. If necessary, the results of this research can be used to develop new policy to help people get out of unemployment benefits more quickly and sustainably.
Follow-up
The draft decision will be submitted to the Council of State for advice. The cabinet will then discuss the decision with the House of Representatives before the investigation starts.