WAO incapacity reassessment disadvantages women more than men in Friesland

In Friesland, women are more likely than men to lose their benefit entitlement under the WAO (Occupational Disability Act) or have it reduced as a result of reassessment. This relates, among other things, to the age of female recipients, the nature of the incapacity, and the fact that more women than men work part-time. These findings are from research commissioned by the emancipation bureau EQUA and the SVUF / FSU (a support organization for women receiving benefit in Friesland) and carried out by the Science Shop of the Faculties of Economics and Management & Organization.

T he number of complaints received by EQUA and the SVUF gave the impression that, in Friesland, the consequences of reassessment were more negative for women receiving WAO benefit than for men. Research carried out by Business Studies student Royla Pierre confirmed this suspicion.

In Friesland, the consequences of the revised reassessment criteria appear to be more far-reaching than elsewhere in the country. In the period 1 October 2004 to the end of June 2006, the reduction in the number of men and women receiving WAO benefit was higher than the national percentage reductions. In addition, the percentage reduction in Friesland was higher for women than for men.

It was not possible to assess the consequences for employment opportunities, income or entitlement to other forms of benefit or support because the relevant data were not available.

T he national studies, the fact that women are disadvantaged by the more stringent benefit criteria, and the increased rate of unemployment among women in Friesland appear to justify the conclusion that the revised Assessment Decree (Schattingsbesluit) is having a negative effect on the income status of women in Friesland who, following reassessment, have been declared partially or fully fit for work. According to the report, the proposed decision by the new Dutch government to reduce the age of exemption from reassessment from 50 years to 45 years will not resolve the problem.

Information:

-  Elise Kamphuis, coordinator, Economics and Management & Organization Science Shop, tel. +31 (0)50 363 7182, e-mail somar rug.nl (work), or tel. +31 (0)50 309 1572 (home)

-  Nyske van der Feen, deputy director of emancipation bureau EQUA, e-mail n.vdfeen equa.org , tel. +31 (0)58 212 6925 (work), or 06-13575090 (home)

-  SVUF, tel. +31 (0)58 213 9992

Report details:

Royla Pierre, Je gaat er ziek heen en komt genezen terug [Ill when you go in, cured when you come out] – A study of the gender aspects of WAO reassessments in the province of Friesland. Groningen: Economics and Management & Organization Science Shop, EC 179, 2007, ISBN 978-90-5803-069-6