The action agenda focuses on a wide range of goals: from job opportunities for status holders to more individual freedom and self-determination in closed communities, and from a Dutch imam training program to better regulations for enhanced calls to prayer. The implementation of the plans is expected to be presented before the summer of 2025.
Secretary of State Nobel (Participation and Integration): “This cabinet is working on a less optional integration policy, where freedom and participation are central. We as a government must take a stronger stance. Because while a lot is going well, we cannot turn a blind eye to serious problems that also exist. We cannot accept that in a free country like the Netherlands, there is still unfreedom. Think of forced marriages, LGBTQ+ individuals feeling unsafe, honor-related violence, or girls being subjected to genital mutilation. The Netherlands should be an open and free country for everyone. Also, too many newcomers are still on the sidelines and are dependent on welfare. Everyone must participate according to their abilities. With this action agenda, we will get to work on this.”
Safeguarding and Promoting Our Freedoms
The first pillar of the Action Agenda focuses on safeguarding the Dutch values and norms of openness and freedom. Even in a free country like the Netherlands, there is still too often a lack of freedom. Girls and women are restricted or oppressed. For example, through forced marriages, genital mutilation, or honor-related violence. To ensure that the Netherlands truly remains an open and free society for everyone, efforts are also aimed at strengthening the approach to these harmful practices and change from within communities themselves.
Equal Opportunities and Living Together
The cabinet emphasizes the importance of equal opportunities for women and men. Therefore, extra attention will be paid to supporting female status holders towards work and independence. The cabinet will also continue to work unwaveringly against racism and discrimination, including in the labor market, so that everyone can fully participate. Additionally, efforts are being made to strengthen social cohesion and promote contact and dialogue between different communities.
Language and Work: Preconditions for Success
The second pillar of the Action Agenda focuses on language and work. Too many newcomers are dependent on welfare. This cabinet places great importance on mastering the Dutch language so that everyone can participate. The action agenda also aims to improve language education, in light of the language requirement in welfare that the cabinet now wishes to maintain. To enable status holders to integrate more quickly and effectively, the cabinet is looking at the broadest possible deployment of starter jobs for status holders. This means that status holders, after settling in the municipality, will be offered a job immediately upon applying for welfare. Refusing generally suitable work, such as a starter job, is a violation of the obligations that come with welfare benefits and may mean that the benefits are reduced.