Call for positive discrimination in Dutch jobs
The Dutch trades union federation chair Agnes Jongerius is calling for positive discrimination in favour of people from immigrant backgrounds applying for jobs. In a newspaper interview, she said an immigrant candidate who was just as qualified for a job as Dutch-background candidates should get the post. Such positive discrimination would reduce unemployment in the immigrant community, which is twice as high as among people with Dutch backgrounds.
Positive discrimination in favour of immigrants is already in force as far as government jobs are concerned. Interior Minister Guusje ter Horst recently agreed that half government work experience placements should be reserved for immigrant-community candidates.
Source: Radio Netherlands, 30 May 2007
