THE HAGUE (ANP) – The VNO-NCW does not expect Dutch companies to stop their diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, as is currently happening in the United States. “We do not recognise this development in the Netherlands. Companies here are widely interested in diversity and inclusion and are actively working towards it,” a spokesperson for the employers' organisation told AFP.
According to him, many companies in the Netherlands are making efforts in the area of gender equality, for example. “Companies are making plans to have more women in senior and sub-level positions in companies. We also see that many companies and collective agreements are paying attention to inclusion and diversity, for example with flexibility on religious holidays,” says the spokesperson VNO-NCW. “A social and inclusive Netherlands is also one of the pillars of our vision for a stronger language of expression,” he continues.
In the United States, a number of major companies have recently halted a number of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This came after activists criticized companies that promoted this woke policy. These include the American handicraft chain Lowe’s, the whiskey maker Brown-Forman, known for its Jack Daniel’s brand, the motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson, and the agricultural machinery manufacturer Deere.
Annual evaluation
For example, Lowe's and Harley no longer participate in the annual LGBTI acceptance assessment conducted by the advocacy group Human Rights Campaign. Different employee groups representing different employees, for example based on origin, are also being consolidated into one inclusive organization.
The companies backed down on their policies after a campaign by prominent activist Robbie Starbuck against “woke” companies. The withdrawal is part of a broader backlash in the business community that has prompted companies to rethink their programs in recent years. “It’s time to move away from these policies and put neutrality and common sense back into business,” Starbuck said earlier.
