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Netherlands
Eddy van Hijum
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs and Employment
Van Hijum is Minister of Social Affairs and Employment of the Netherlands and Deputy Prime Minister. In this role, which he has held since July 2024, he is responsible for themes including inter alia labour market policy, socioeconomic security, income policy and simplification of income support, pensions, employee insurance and labour inspection.
“A steady income, knowing you can pay the rent and the grocery bill. Knowing that by working you can build a good future – for yourself and your family. That is the essence of socioeconomic security. A solid basis which everyone in the Netherlands is entitled to. I will put my heart and soul into achieving this.”
Van Hijum has ample experience in national and local politics. From December 2023 until July 2024 he served as member of the House of Representatives (MP) for New Social Contract. Between 2014 and 2023 he was a member of the Overijssel provincial executive. In this period he was also a member of the European Committee of the Regions from 2019 onwards. From 2003 until 2014 Van Hijum was an MP for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). Before entering Parliament he was a city councillor for the CDA in Zwolle.
After completing a PhD in administrative science from the University of Twente in 2001, Van Hijum worked at PWC Consulting and KPMG. He was a board member of several public and private organizations including in the field of welfare and health care.
Van Hijum is married and has three daughters. In his spare time he enjoys running and playing guitar.
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