The government discusses declaring July 1st a public holiday
The Dutch government has started talks with employers to grant workers a public holiday on July 1st, coinciding with 'Keti Koti' Day, which commemorates the emancipation of slaves. Minister Judith Otemark indicated that the approval of this day as a national holiday depends on the agreement of business owners, adding that some already grant leave for this day.
During a parliamentary debate on the country's commitment to its slavery past, Otermarch confirmed that the holiday is not legally mandated but depends on employers' decisions. She praised initiatives that give workers a day off on July 1st.
Members of the D66, GroenLinks-PvdA, and DENK parties called for an end to the procrastination and for today to be officially adopted. DENK member Stefan van Barle urged to expedite the procedures, emphasizing that the discussion on this topic has lasted too long and it is time to make a decision.
The reason for celebrating this day is the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands and its colonies on July 1, 1863. An annual celebration and tribute is held on this day in front of the National Monument for Slavery in Oosterpark, Amsterdam. In 2023, King Willem-Alexander apologized for the Netherlands' role in slavery.
The king and then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte clarified that the apology is not an end, but a 'chapter,' referring to the need for more efforts to correct the past. For his part, PVV MP Peter van Haaften questioned whether the apology should be considered a 'final point,' to which Otermark replied that there is still much to bear from this 'criminal past.'
In defense of the previous official approach, the PVV deputy said that slavery "happened to the Dutch and was not an intentional decision to participate in the transatlantic slave trade," justifying this by saying that "the Moors and African tribes are responsible for that." However, VVD deputy Eric van der Burg described this opinion as "strange" coming from a "white Dutch" person, asking: "Are you saying that we did not board ships and transport them, but that they joined them themselves?"