The Hague City Party Employee Fired After 27 Years Receives Municipal Assistance
The municipality of The Hague is providing financial assistance to a former employee of the local political party, the Haagse Stadspartij (HSP). Nic Timmerman, who had been employed by the HSP for 27 years, was dismissed after the party lost its sole council seat in the March municipal elections, leading to its dissolution. Her termination was communicated via email by the former faction leader, Fatima Faid, informing her of her dismissal effective April 1st and the requirement to return party property. Timmerman was not provided with the legally mandated three-month notice period or a severance package. Furthermore, the HSP failed to register her with the UWV, the Dutch unemployment agency, preventing her from claiming benefits. As a single mother, Timmerman has been without income for months. She took the party to court, and a judge ruled in her favor, ordering the HSP to pay her severance pay, interest, and collection costs, totaling over 35,000 euros. However, the HSP's funds were depleted, as its subsidy from the municipality ceased with its removal from the council. The party reportedly returned its remaining funds to the municipality shortly before the court hearing. Timmerman's lawyer alleged that the funds were "siphoned off" to prevent her from receiving her due compensation, a claim disputed by the HSP's lawyer who cited a "public law obligation" to return the money. The municipality of The Hague has now stepped in and will pay Timmerman the amount of 35,244 euros, stating that while the HSP should have paid, this action addresses the former employee's interests.
This situation highlights potential governance challenges within local political parties, particularly concerning financial management and employee termination procedures when funding streams are disrupted. The municipality's intervention to cover the owed amount, while seemingly supportive of the individual, raises questions about accountability and the mechanisms for ensuring political parties adhere to labor laws. The dispute over the returned funds suggests a need for clearer regulations on how dissolved parties manage their assets and obligations to former staff, especially when public subsidies are involved. Future considerations for such entities might include establishing escrow accounts or requiring financial guarantees to safeguard employee rights during dissolution.
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