Moroccan Candidate Was Rejected After Interviewer Said, “I Can’t Communicate With People Like That”
An experienced candidate was reportedly turned down for a job at the UWV because of her Moroccan origin. Her case features in an investigation into racism at the Dutch social security agency, whose new director has just apologized.
The interview had gone well. A former employee told EenVandaag that she had met a personable candidate with the experience they were looking for. After the candidate left, a remark was made: “I can’t communicate with people like that.” The young woman was of Moroccan origin. The witness said she was left speechless.
Two former employees have reported discrimination in hiring in the UWV’s enforcement department, which investigates benefit fraud. Some candidates were allegedly not invited to interviews because of their origin; others were rejected after being interviewed.
Published on October 5, the investigation, conducted with the daily newspaper AD, also revealed remarks targeting benefit recipients. While discussing a case, an investigator allegedly said the solution was to deport all Moroccans. Managers born abroad were, meanwhile, nicknamed the “Arab League.”
The director apologizes
The revelations prompted Abdeluheb Choho, who has chaired the board since September, to respond. In an UWV statement, he acknowledges that racism also exists within the agency and apologizes to those affected, both employees and service users.
The issue also extends to penalties. An internal analysis found that fines were more frequent and higher for people with non-Dutch-sounding names. The UWV says the data and methodology do not support a conclusion that discrimination is systemic. An external review of differences in treatment is underway, with results expected this fall.
The agency is urging people who have experienced racism or discrimination to contact its integrity office. It says initial contact should be made within one working day of a report.
For Rabin Baldewsingh, national coordinator against discrimination and racism, apologies must lead to change. Speaking to EenVandaag, he denounced “pure racism” and criticized the organization for not acting sooner.
He also called on the minister to demand answers from the UWV. Social benefits, he stressed, must be administered with equal treatment. He is now expecting measures to address how the department operates and to protect people who report these practices.
