Book of Complaints: Bijstandsbond Urges Unemployed to Report Poor Treatment by Client Managers

The Bijstandsbond [Association of Welfare Recipients] calls on all welfare recipients across the country to report the frequent poor treatment by client managers for a book of complaints, in which we aim to expose practices across various municipalities.

In Amsterdam, we have observed that some client managers exert significant pressure on the sick and disabled to perform volunteer work. Although the mandatory “tegenprestatie” [return favor] is not officially enforced in Amsterdam, volunteer work is often still required (effectively amounting to forced labor).

Additionally, welfare recipients who are not occupationally disabled are pressured to accept any flexible (part-time) job at a low wage, evenif they have higher education. The individual preferences of the welfare recipients are often ignored.

Unemployed individuals who are not ill but have been on welfare for an extended period and are approaching retirement age are still required to apply for jobs, even when the likelihood of securing one is minimal. We receive complaints not only from Amsterdam but from other municipalities as well.

In het Nederlands – In Dutch

Through the compilation of a complaints book, we hope to use publicity to finally address these issues. We give advice to welfare recipients in these situations and accompany them to meetings with officials in Amsterdam. Below is an example of these often disgraceful practices.

A man visits the Bijstandsbond walk-in consultation who is practically blind, autistic, and has been through a lot. He was addicted and has been clean for two years. He has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He takes six medications to stay mentally stable. He has been on welfare for thirty years. His client manager forces him to do volunteer work: maintaining the garden in a nursing home. Fortunately, they are understanding of his situation and do not require him to do much work. Because he is almost blind, he can’t see the plants and weeds and can’t work in the garden.

This situation has persisted for over a year. Now, he has been summoned by the client manager, who tells him: “You’re required to do additional volunteer work”. The client manager claims this is mandatory but puts nothing in writing – no decision, no contract – nothing at all. The man is pressured to perform even more volunteer work than he currently does, without regard for his capabilities.

The man requests an assessment from his client manager. But the client manager refuses. “We only assess people who still have a chance of paid employment, and with you, that’s not the case. Assessments are expensive. The cost of an assessment is 4,000 euros”, according to the client manager. The man fears he will relapse into addiction.

We advise the man to contact his GP and report sick. We accompany him to meetings with officials.

This is just one of many examples that come to the Bijstandsbond. Tell us about your experiences with client managers. So that we can address them accordingly. Call: 020-6898806 or email: info@bijstandsbond.org.

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