Ahead of the upcoming Provincial Council elections (Provinciale Statenverkiezingen), HOGIAF recently received a visit from Zita Pels, GroenLinks lead candidate in Noord-Holland.
GroenLinks stands for an inclusive society. Everyone has value, regardless of origin, background, faith or disability. That goes beyond tolerance. Together with everyone, we want to work towards a society with a place for everyone. Among other things, that means we take tough action against discrimination.****
Discrimination in the labour market is a major problem in all sectors. Research has shown that a migration background counts against you more in a job application than a criminal record. This is bizarre. It is time that we tackle this problem together, politics and business, head-on. For people who face discrimination, it is a defining factor in their lives, says Ayse Er, candidate Provincial Council member in Noord-Holland for GroenLinks. ‘The impact on people is enormous. I notice that when applying for jobs, people already take so much account of what is likely to be thought of them that they sometimes even give up on certain professions or sectors altogether.’ Discrimination is prohibited, but it is often still difficult to prove and also happens unconsciously. GroenLinks therefore believes that the focus must be on raising awareness and that the ban on discrimination must be enforced more strictly. Among other things, ‘mystery guests’ can be deployed. If companies then turn out to discriminate, they will no longer be eligible for interns and will no longer receive work from the government. Equal opportunities for everyone should come first, not your surname.
The province could contribute to this by, in addition to having a diversity policy of its own, asking the same of municipalities and of the market parties it works with. In tenders, too, account should be taken of giving entrepreneurs from different backgrounds room to take part. Zita Pels, GroenLinks lead candidate in Noord-Holland, concludes: “We are immensely proud of Ayse and of how she wants to work for an inclusive province. GroenLinks wants to work with residents and entrepreneurs to bring about the change that is needed over the next four years. Together we will turn the promise of inclusivity into reality.”
Zita Pels, GroenLinks lead candidate in Noord-Holland
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