Holland: Church hunger strike of "illegal immigrants"
01 January 1999
On 30 November 1998, 132 people began a hunger strike in St Agnes Church in The Hague. They were a group of people who for years worked legally and paid taxes but did not fulfil the conditions for a residence permit.
Until the end of 1997 these "illegal immigrants" could apply for a residence permit as part of the so called "six year rule", under which people who could prove that for six consecutive years they had worked a minimum of 200 days per year would be given a residence permit. The problem for the hunger strikers was that many had done seasonal work, often for more than ten years, but for less than 200 days per year . Under the rule they were not granted a residence permit. They organised various protests without result after which they decided to revert to this last ditch action.
In terms of publicity the action was a success. Media coverage and reactions were generally positive. Reactions from the Interior Ministry were predictable; a relaxation of the six year rule was non-negotiable and the hunger strike should be ended as soon as possible.
With increasing public pressure however Secretary of State Cohen appeared somewhat more lenient, offering to have another look at the files to see whether some people could be considered for a residence permit after all. The hunger strikers decided to accept the offer and call off the action.
On 1 February the decisions were announced, only 13 of the hunger strikers will get a residence permit, another 60 are still awaiting a court ruling that does not look promising and 55 have to leave the country immediately. Naturally, the disappointment and anger amongst the hunger strikers was great and they are considering furthers actions.
In the meantime two further protests have begun in Amsterdam. A group of 15 Turkish women began a hunger strike on 2 February and a group of 25 Moroccan men on 9 February. Both groups are calling for a relaxation of the "white wash rule" [rule allowing legalisation of tax paying "illegal immigrants"] and an abolition of the "Link Law" [Koppelingswet, a law that forbids the provision of social security and national health care to "illegal immigrants"].