Feb 13, 2024 at 9:23 PM Update: 40 minutes ago
The municipality of Amsterdam also wants special investigating officers (BOAs) to be allowed to wear religious expressions. This makes it the fifth city to go against the directive of outgoing Minister Dilan Yesilgöz (Justice and Security).
Mayor Femke Halsema and councilor Hester van Buren (personnel and organization) reported their wish to have boas wear a headscarf or cross, for example, in a council letter on Tuesday. It is not yet known when this will take effect.
“The council is convinced that all civil servants are professional and impartial in their actions, regardless of their religious background,” the letter reads. The council also hopes that this will make the work more attractive in times of major staff shortages.
Municipalities may determine the dress code of their civil servants themselves. The government’s guideline states that boas, just like police officers, must adhere to neutrality requirements. But that directive is unenforceable. Minister Yesilgöz will discuss this with the Association of Dutch Municipalities.
Amsterdam is not the first city to go against the directive. Enforcement officers in Utrecht have been allowed to work with religious or philosophical expressions since the beginning of this month. This is also already allowed in Arnhem and Tilburg, and will be allowed in The Hague in the future. Just like in Amsterdam, it is not yet known exactly when.
The Amsterdam council is following the developments and would like to enter into discussions with other municipalities. “The council will then inform the council how and when we will allow religious expressions for employees in uniform.”
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- 01 Feb 2024 at 12:42
As of today, Utrecht boas are allowed to wear religious expressions on their uniforms
Image: ANP
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Amsterdam Interior
2024-02-13 20:23:35
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