The cabinet is today expected to approve social affairs ministry plans to cut welfare payments to people who do not speak Dutch, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.

The plans were published earlier this year and state that people who refuse to learn Dutch will have their benefits cut by 20%. The reduction will rise to 40% after six months and stop altogether after a full year.

Making speaking Dutch one of the conditions for claiming welfare benefits (bijstand) has been mooted for several years and was included in the coalition agreement. Welfare is paid to people who do not, or no longer, qualify for unemployment (ww) or incapacity (wao) benefits.

Conversations

The level of Dutch required to continue to qualify for welfare involves ‘simple conversations about everyday things’, broadcaster Nos said earlier this year.

The Dutch requirement is the latest in a string of reforms to the welfare system which social affairs minister Jette Klijnsma is introducing. People who refuse to look for work or who wear unsuitable clothing such as a burka will have their benefits stopped for three months.

In addition, claimants will be required to ‘give something back to society’ in return for their financial support.’