THE HAGUE – October 6, 2026 | The Dutch Daily
UWV fines and discrimination: an investigation by the newspaper AD and the programme EenVandaag, published on 5 October 2026, reports that the enforcement department of the benefits agency UWV gave fines more often, and higher fines, to people with non-Dutch (“bicultural”) surnames. The reports are based on an internal UWV analysis, confidential documents and conversations with about ten current and former employees. UWV’s new chair has apologised, Social Affairs Minister Hans Vijlbrief wants the matter investigated thoroughly, and UWV says no firm conclusions can be drawn yet. An external investigation is under way.
Key facts
- UWV fines: the internal analysis reviewed 1,682 decisions and found large regional differences between the share of people with non-Dutch surnames among investigated cases and their share of fines.
- Randstad North (including Alkmaar, Amsterdam and Utrecht): 44% of the investigated people had a non-Dutch surname, but they received 74% of all fines in the region.
- South (including Heerlen and Eindhoven): 36% of investigated cases, 71% of the fines and 98% of the total fine amount.
- Other two regions: deviations were found too, but smaller.
- UWV’s position: the analysis is not scientific research, so no hard conclusions can be drawn; the data and method are “insufficiently suitable”. A broader investigation is expected to report later this year.
- Status: these are reported findings and allegations, not court findings.
In this report
- 1. What the investigation found
- 2. The numbers by region
- 3. The internal analysis of December 2025
- 4. “Country of origin” in a work instruction
- 5. What employees describe
- 6. UWV and the minister respond
- 7. What happens next
- 8. What it means for you
- 9. Frequently asked questions
- 🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
- Sources
What the investigation found about UWV fines
According to AD and EenVandaag, racism, discrimination and ethnic profiling are part of the culture at the enforcement department (handhaving) of UWV. The journalists base this on confidential documents and conversations with former and current employees. The department is responsible for fraud investigations at UWV and can impose fines. In other words, UWV fines can concern deliberate misuse, but also people who got lost in the rules and made an honest mistake.
UWV fines: the numbers by region
| Region | Share of investigated cases with a non-Dutch surname | Share of the fines they received |
|---|---|---|
| Randstad North (Alkmaar, Amsterdam, Utrecht) | 44% | 74% |
| South (Heerlen, Eindhoven) | 36% | 71% (98% of the total fine amount) |
The researchers looked at 1,682 decisions. In the two other UWV regions that were examined, deviations were found as well, although smaller than in these two regions.
The internal analysis of December 2025
According to EenVandaag, the internal analysis concluded that people with a non-Dutch surname are relatively more often and more heavily fined, and that these results deviated from what could reasonably be expected. The researchers advised a further, specific investigation into possible racism and discrimination in the imposing of fines. According to the report, that advice was not followed up. The outcome has been with UWV’s Board of Directors since December. The minister was not informed until recently, after questions from AD and EenVandaag.
“Country of origin” in a work instruction
AD also reported that the characteristic “country of origin” was visible in a work instruction. UWV says this characteristic was officially removed in 2020 but remained visible, struck through, because of careless administration. UWV adds that this is the only work instruction in which such a characteristic was still visible. According to EenVandaag, the passage was only crossed out with a thin line and remained readable, and UWV has said it will now delete it properly.
What employees describe
About ten current and former employees told the journalists that experiences and official reports of racism and discrimination are played down and not taken seriously, and that this stays without consequences. They speak of a “toxic atmosphere”, which also makes employees of colour leave. One former HR employee who held exit interviews said departing colleagues told her that people with a foreign name were screened extra. These are statements by individual employees as reported by the journalists.
UWV and the minister respond
UWV chair Abdeluheb Choho, in post since September 2026, said: “It touches me. I find it unacceptable.” He called it reprehensible that some employees still make discriminatory remarks to each other, apologised to everyone who feels discriminated against or treated in a racist way, and said signals of possible discrimination are always investigated and followed by “appropriate measures”.
At the same time UWV says that no conclusions can be drawn from the analysis, because the data and the research method are “insufficiently suitable”, and that it is not scientific research. Minister Vijlbrief said: “Every form of racism and discrimination is unacceptable.” He takes the signals “extremely seriously” and expects UWV to take appropriate measures.
What happens next
An external investigation by an outside bureau is under way and is expected to report by the end of 2026. UWV says a broader investigation, which should also look at unjustified differences in treatment between people, will report later this year. EenVandaag reports that, as far as it could find out, that investigation looks mainly at differences between UWV offices rather than specifically at discrimination. UWV invites anyone who experienced discrimination to come forward through its channels. We will update this report when the findings are published.
What it means for you
- If you think you were treated unfairly: UWV invites anyone who experienced discrimination to come forward, and its chair has said signals of possible discrimination are always investigated.
- Be careful with conclusions about UWV fines: the figures come from an internal analysis that UWV itself calls not suitable for firm conclusions. The external investigation will show more.
For the wider benefits system, see our report on the benefits overhaul.
Frequently asked questions
What is UWV?
UWV is the Dutch benefits agency. The department concerned is its enforcement department, which investigates fraud and can impose fines.
Are UWV fines discriminatory?
That has not been proven. The figures show large differences between groups, and an internal analysis recommended further investigation. UWV says no firm conclusions can be drawn, and the external investigation is still under way.
What does “bicultural surname” mean in the UWV fines reports?
The reports use “non-Dutch surname” and “bicultural surname” for people whose surname is not a traditionally Dutch one.
What did the minister say?
Minister Vijlbrief said every form of racism and discrimination is unacceptable and wants the matter investigated thoroughly.
When will there be results?
An external investigation is expected by the end of 2026, and UWV expects a broader investigation to report later this year.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| De boete | The fine |
| De achternaam | Surname |
| De handhaving | Enforcement |
| De fraude | Fraud |
| De uitkering | Benefit payment |
| De excuses | Apology |
| Het onderzoek | Investigation, study |
| Onaanvaardbaar | Unacceptable |
| Het land van herkomst | Country of origin |
| De werkinstructie | Work instruction |
| De UWV-boete | UWV fine |
Sources
- EenVandaag, 5 October 2026: Racisme en discriminatie bij afdeling handhaving UWV, nieuwe hoogste baas biedt excuses aan (findings, 1,682 decisions, regional percentages, December analysis, UWV’s response, external investigation)
- Hart van Nederland / ANP: Mogelijke discriminatie bij UWV: Vijlbrief wil zaak tot bodem uitzoeken (minister’s response, UWV’s position, ‘land van herkomst’, timing of the broader study)
- NL Times, 5 October 2026: Racism at UWV (percentages by region)
More on The Dutch Daily: benefits overhaul 2026
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