After a turbulent year at the CBR, in which it had to clear up major backlogs in terms of medical examinations, among other things, the organization is in need of rest. This is what general director and former D66 leader Alexander Pechtold said during a hearing in the Lower House.
If all goes well, the customer will no longer be bothered by the backlogs at the end of the year, says Pechtold. But other reforms, such as scrapping re-examinations for people over 75 or people with autism or ADHD, should be delayed, he says. “Please don’t do that in 2021, give us a break first.” Pechtold first wants to “do what we have to do” with the CBR before the working method is adjusted again.
The House has been asking for some time to overhaul the medical examinations at the CBR. For people with a condition that is stable, such as autism, retakes would not be necessary. This would also reduce the workload for the organization.
The CBR is one of the implementing organizations at the center of an investigation by the Temporary Committee on Implementing Organizations (TCU) of the House of Representatives. This committee wants to map out ‘the human dimension’ in such organizations, such as the Tax and Customs Administration and the UWV. Things often go wrong at executive organizations, which are often seen by citizens as the ‘face’ of the government. Before the elections, the committee will issue a final report.