Activities
The Dutch version of this web page contains links to the various documents mentioned. These are generally in Dutch. The documents that are available in English can be found on this page.
Activities 2009
10 October 2009
EARN Seminar in Amsterdam
On 10 October 2009 another EARN Seminar took place in Amsterdam.
16 May 2009
EARN Seminar in Amsterdam
EARN organized another seminar for black unionists and employees. This seminar was a follow-up of the seminars in October 2008 and in January 2009.
2 April 2009
Research on impact European guideline race discrimination
EARN was interviewed in the framework of a scientific research on the impact of the European guidelines to combat race discrimination from 2000 (Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam) on social partners in the 27 EU member states. This research was coordinated by the Working Lives Research Institute of the Metropolitan University in London.
1 February 2009
New EARN website
For years the website of EARN was hosted by FNV Bondgenoten (under the web address www.fnvbondgenoten.net/earn/). Because of continuous problems with the server there, EARN decided to host the website externally. Many thanks to the staff of FNV Bondgenoten for hosting the website free of charge and for the good cooperation over the years.
31 January 2009
EARN Seminar in Amsterdam
Follow-up of the seminar of 11 October 2008 with the topics: (1) stop self-hatred and enhance the self esteem, (2) reporting point racism and organization EARN, (3) leadership and Durban Review Conference, Geneve 20-24 April 2009
Activities 2008
11 October 2008
EARN Seminar in Amsterdam
Topics: (1) support each other, (2) leadership: how can you support people in key positions?, (3) inferiority complex and self-hatred in the black community
April 2008
EARN participates in the TUC Black Workers' Conference in Southport, UK
Three EARN members participated in the annual meeting of the Black Workers' Conference, this year in Southport.
Activities 2007
21 May 2007
Radio interview Radio Sunshine
On Monday 21 May 2007 EARN member Farouq Tareen was interviewed by Radio Sunshine. Topics of the interview were EARN and racism in the labor market
2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
2007 was announced "European Year of Equal Opportunities for All” by the European Union. In order to carry out activities in view of this occasion it was possible to apply for grants by the Agentschap SZW. Due to lack of manpower EARN had to disregard this possibility.
Activities 2006
October 2006
Article in SER bulletin
Title of the article: "Social partners in a multicultural Holland – part 1: We are a much too white organisation” (In Dutch: “Sociale partners in een multicultureel Nederland - deel 1: We zijn een veel te witte organisatie”).
30 - 31 October 2006
EARN visits closing meeting GET-In Project: "Guide to Equal Treatment IN the Private Sector"
EARN participated in the closing meeting of the GET-In Project in Cologne/Germany. The project tackles discrimination in the ‘private sector’, especially in the business and the financial sector (for example discrimination in the granting of mortgages, so called 'area code discrimination')
28 September - 1 October 2006
EARN received SOLID training in Budapest/Hungary
More information on the SOLID website (Strategies on litigation tackling discrimination in EU countries)
July 2006
EARN article in ENARgy: "The Role of Trade Unions in Addressing Institutional Racism"
ENARgy is the magazine of ENAR, an EU-wide network of organizations working to combat racism. The article was written by EARN in response to the way trade unions in Europe deal with the topic of ‘racism’ and what the unions do for their black members.
--> Read the article
13 May 2006
EARN Seminar in Amsterdam
Topic of the seminar were the results of the LBR/EARN-research “What happens after having complained about racism at the workplace... ?” Black and migrant trade unionists of all FNV unions were invited.
10 May 2006
Presentation research report “What happens after having complained about racism at the workplace... ?”
On 10 May 2006 at the office of the National Bureau against Racial Discrimination (LBR, now Art.1) in Rotterdam the research report was presented to the press and to the public.
7 - 9 April 2006
TUC Black Workers Conference Eastbourne
EARN members Rita Mungra, Jerry Chintoe, Farouq Tareen and Kenneth Cuvalay participated in the Black Workers' Conference of the TUC (Trade Union Congress) in Eastbourne. The topic of this edition of the Black Workers' Conference was the position of women in the labor market.
24 March 2006
Open letter Verdonk
During the action week within the scope of March 21, the international day against racism, EARN sent an open letter to minister Verdonk. In the letter a number of obstructions black Dutch people experience with the integration/participation in society was listed. These obstructions are caused by the attitude of many white Dutch and EARN calls on the minister to take action against this.
7 March 2006
EARN members elected local council members
Two EARN members were elected onto the local councils of their home town: Rita Mungra onto the Parish council for the Dutch Labour Party and Mohammed Mdaghri was re-elected onto the local council Huizen for the GroenLinks party (GreenLeft). EARN member Iwan Leeuwin was announced member of the Orde van Oranje Nassau. He received this distinction for his achievements as member of the council in Diemen during a period of twelve years.
Activities 2005
20 November 2005
5th anniversary of EARN!
The first ideas for the formation of an Anti-Racism Network were developed amongst black trade unionists during a TIE conference in Cologne/Germany in March 2000.
A special edition of the EARN newsletter and a factsheet on the topic of institutional racism were published as a tribute to the fifth anniversary.
--> Read more about the foundation phase of EARN
18 November 2005
Parliamentary paper on criminal prosecution for racism and discrimination in the labor market
In the context of a committee meeting on December 1st about the criminal prosecution for discrimination and racism in the labor market, EARN sent a letter to the standing committee for Social Affairs and Employment of the Dutch House of Representatives.
14 November 2005
Brainstorming intersectional discrimination with ENAR in Brussels
Four EARN members participated in a brainstorming with ENAR, an EU-wide network of organizations working to combat racism. Topic of the meeting was intersectional discrimination: discrimination on multiple grounds at the same time (for example on ethnic origin as well as gender). Legislation in the EU countries is hardly fitted to prevent multiple discrimination.
24 April 2005
Debate "After October 2: What next with the union movement?”
The debate was part of the Marxism Festival 2005 (April 22-24, 2005 in Amsterdam). Niek Stam (FNV Bondgenoten / De Maat Is Vol), Wim Bermond (action committee fire department Amsterdam), Kenneth Cuvalay (coordinator EARN) and Bart Griffioen (International Socialists) participated in the debate.
15 - 17 April 2005
TUC Black Workers' Conference Southport, UK
Once again EARN participated in the Black Workers' Conference of the TUC (Trade Union Congress). EARN-members Rita Mungra, Jerry Chintoe and Kenneth Cuvalay participated in the conference which was held in Southport, UK.
24 March 2005
MTNL Magazine
EARN-member Rita Mungra appeared as a guest in the studio of the regional television station MTNL (Multicultural Television Netherlands). Amongst other things the conversation was about discrimination and racism at the workplace.
27 February 2005
Rhythm Against Racism festival
During the Rhythm Against Racism festival in the debate on Sunday afternoon EARN members Rita Mungra and Farouq Tareen called attention to the fact that racism does not affect only Muslims, but other ethnic communities in the Netherlands too. Also they passed a comment on the behavior of several 'prominent Dutch' who all of a sudden condemn racism while it is not a new phenomenon in the community.
27 January 2005
Work conference on the future of the trade union
The topic of the conference was “How to go on with the representation?”. 75 representatives of unions, employers, works councils, research and government were invited by Evert Smit (Basis&Beleid) and Keimpe Schilstra (FNV Bondgenoten) and came to Kasteel Kerckebosch in Zeist, The Netherlands in order to discuss the future of trade unions. EARN coordinator Kenneth Cuvalay was present. Book based on the conference: Strategische keuzes in de belangenbehartiging van werknemers, Keimpe Schilstra & Evert Smit. - Amsterdam: Aksant, 2005. - ISBN 90 5260 1461
Activities 2004
26 - 28 November 2004
Dutch Social Forum
On 26, 27, and 28 November 2004 the first Dutch Social Forum took place in Amsterdam. EARN coordinator Kenneth Cuvalay was present.
3 October 2004
Television programme Meeting Point (NMO)
EARN participated in the television programme Meeting Point of the Dutch Muslim Broadcasting Organisation (NMO). Three EARN members (Gunay Kokulu, Mohammed Mdaghri, Kenneth Cuvalay) were present and discussed about racism and discrimination at the workplace.
27 May 2004
Publication of a Reader about Article 13 (in Dutch: "Artikel 13: van verdrag naar praktijk")
Published in consequence of the workshop about Article 13 of The Treaty of Amsterdam at the FNV study day ‘A workplace without racism’ (In Dutch: 'Een werkvloer zonder racisme'). The study day was cancelled because of lack of interest within the organizations of the various FNV unions.
15 May 2004
EARN Seminar in Amsterdam
Topic of the seminar: 'Is there a future for black unionists within the trade union?'. Unionists discussed with each other about particular subjects in relation to Europe, the fight against racism and the role of the union movement.
23 - 25 April 2004
TUC Black Workers' Conference in Torquay, UK
Three EARN members participated in the annual Black Workers' Conference of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom.
--> Read the conference report of one of the participants
April 2004
Letter to Dutch House of Representatives on National Action plan Racism
In April 2004 EARN sent a letter to the standing committee for Justice of the Dutch House of Representatives in order to pass her criticism on the National Action plan against Racism
26 February 2004
EARN writes letter to chair ABVAKABO FNV
EARN sent a letter to ABVAKABO FNV chair Guus van Huygevoort. The letter is a reaction on the column by Van Huygevoort in the ABVAKABO magazine, where he asks himself why migrant workers do not integrate in the unions.
8 February 2004
Television debate on integration
Two EARN members took part in a television debate of broadcasting company OHM on integration in relation to (especially) the Hindu community.
31 January 2004
Seminar Black Workers for Justice - Europe in London
On 31 January 2004 EARN participated in the seminar of her sister organization Black Workers for Justice – Europe in the United Kingdom. The topic of this seminar was 'Building the Black Solidarity UK Network'.
Activities 2003
22 December, 2003
Television broadcast MTNL
On 22 December 2003 three EARN-members were interviewed by the regional television station MTNL (Multicultural Television Netherlands). EARN passed criticism on the release of 'Tien geboden voor de vakbeweging' (Ten commandments for the union movement) by Paul de Beer (Amsterdam University Press, 2004).
15 December 2003
3e National Round table conference
On 15 December 2003 EARN took part in the third National Roundtable conference of the EUMC. Main subject of the conference was 'The role of Europe in the fight against racial discrimination in the Netherlands'
16 - 19 October 2003
Participation in Women’s conference Atlanta, US
From October 16th to 19th EARN took part in the Southern International Working Women’s Conference in Atlanta, US. Objective of the conference: “To bring women together, to educate ourselves and deepen our analysis of globalization and worker’s rights, and to strengthen the leadership of women in all facets of life, including environmental justice.”
17 and 18 July 2003
Presentation at students conference UK
On July 17th and 18th EARN gave a presentation on the Face to Face-conference (July 13th to 20th) organized by pupil of the Michael Hall School in Forest Row, UK.
8 July 2003
Public Hearing Article 13 Brussels, Belgium
On July 8th EARN was present at the 'Public Hearing' in the European Parliament in Brussels about the introduction of Article 13 in the different countries of the European Union. This meeting was organized by members of parliament Claude Moraes in co-operation with ENAR. The results of the Public Hearing are available at the ENAR website. EARN published a Factsheet on Article 13 (NB In Dutch only) with explanations and background information.
22 June 2003
Readers conference Solidariteit
On June 22nd EARN gave a lecture at the Readers conference of Solidariteit (English: Solidarity). Subject of the conference was 'Migration / Integration'. On the website of Solidariteit you can find an interview with EARN and a report of the conference.
19 juni 2003
Meeting Green Left Europe
EARN was present at the meeting on the combat against race discrimination by Brussels (in Dutch: “Het grootste gelijk van Europa: Brussel pakt rassendiscriminatie stevig aan”) organized by Green Left Europe. Speakers were Kathalijne Buitenweg, member of the European Parliament for Green Leftand Dick Houtzager, legal advisor National Bureau against Racial Discrimination (LBR, now Art. 1).
Spring 2003
National Action Plan against Racism
EARN contributed to the preparation of the National Action plan against Racism (NAP/NL) that is worked out with reference to the World conference against Racism in Durban, South-Africa 2001.
22 March 2003
Workshop at annual FNV day
On March 22nd 2003 we facilitated a workshop on institutional racism at the annual FNV day for ethnic minorities.
Activities 2002
1 - 3 November 2002
EARN Conference, Egmond/The Netherlands
On November 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2002 we organized an European Anti-Racism Network Conference.
-> Appendix 1: Background to the conference
-> Appendix 2: Conference program
--> Appendix 3: Speech by Bob Purkiss
Over the last two years we made a start in setting up a network of black trade unionists of trade unions from different European countries.
We continue our contacts by participating in the yearly Black Workers' Conference of the British trade union federation TUC.
May 2002
Letter action elections
Before the latest elections by the means of a letter action we called upon the trade unions and the FNV federation to take their social responsibility. This action was carried out taking account of the electoral victories of (extreme) right wing parties in The Netherlands and in many European countries during the Dutch campaign and because the public opinion on the black issue was stirred up. Furthermore, political parties were approached with the question to explain their standpoint on the fight against racism.
21 March 2002
Workshop theme day AbvaKabo FNV
On 21 March 2002 (21 March is the International Day Against Racism) EARN facilitated a workshop during the theme day "Migrants and Networking" of the AbvaKabo trade union. The objective of the workshop was for the participants to gain insight in the difference between institutional racism and day-to-day racism.
Activities 2001
26 – 29 April 2001
EARN members participate in Black Workers' Conference in Perth, Scotland
In co-operation with the Dutch Federation (FNV) we submitted an application for the European EQUAL fund. The objective of this project was to develop practical instruments that black workers can use at the workplace in the fight against discrimination and (institutional) racism. However, the Dutch Federation (FNV) changed the application drastically without our knowledge. The application was later rejected; An adapted version of our original EQUAL-proposal was presented to the AbvaKabo FNV. At present the possibilities for carrying out the project within AbvaKabo are reviewed.
With the LBR we worked together in a research on codes of conduct
Due to the influence of EARN, more black trade unionists have been reintegrated in the Contact Committee Ethnic Minorities (CCEM) and for the participation of black trade unionists in the preparations of the FNV national day for ethnic minorities.