UWV

A wave of fraud-related stories is drawing attention in the Netherlands. Tax authority FIOD raided a Twente wholesaler and launched a hunt for VAT fraud involving soft drinks, with reports saying this 'silliest' form of fraud can yield millions. Dutch newspapers are also calling for action against care fraud by rogue agencies. Separately, employees at the benefits agency UWV's enforcement department report racism and discrimination, prompting an apology from its new top official.

Employees of the enforcement department of the Dutch benefits agency UWV have reported discrimination and racism within their own division, according to reporting by AD and EenVandaag. Staff say objectivity disappears when a colleague is a person of colour. The agency's new top executive has offered apologies in response to the allegations.

The head of the Dutch benefits agency UWV has expressed frustration that an unlawful work instruction connected to discrimination remained in use for so long. In remarks reported by AD, he said the rule 'evidently lingered somewhere', acknowledging criticism that the agency allowed a prohibited directive to persist within its own organisation.