Geen Kok, Geen Wok
Why is this petition being created?
The Actiegroep Aziatische Horeca started this petition to raise awareness among Dutch citizens about the difficulties that Chinese chefs and restaurant owners encounter in the Netherlands. These businesses are an important part of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, contributing significantly to the Dutch economy. Furthermore, Chinese-Indonesian restaurants have become intangible cultural heritage, reflecting a distinct segment of the Netherlands' gastronomic and social past.
Court Case
April 2, 2025
Background to the lawsuit:
● As of 1 July 2024, the specific job requirements for applying for work permits for Asian chefs have been abolished.
● This means that employers in the Asian hospitality industry will no longer be allowed to impose specific requirements on the knowledge and skills of chefs. The VCHO and other organisations have opposed this and have filed a lawsuit.
● The Actiegroep Aziatische Horeca took the initiative to draw attention to and express support for the case in court and in the House of Representatives by co-organising a peaceful demonstration at the court and the House of Representatives in The Hague. The demonstration attracted more than five hundred Asian hospitality entrepreneurs, chefs and their families. The civil court ruling followed on 14 May 2025. The civil court declared VCHO and the parties involved inadmissible. This means that no direct representation of interests was recognised and the court considered itself incompetent. The case has been referred to the administrative court, forcing entrepreneurs to initiate costly and lengthy legal proceedings.
The Actiegroep Aziatische Horeca (Asian Hospitality Advocacy Group) started a nationwide petition to raise public awareness and gather public support.
Launch of National Petition
May 2025
Petition Submitted to Parliament
June 10, 2025
On 3 June 2025, the cabinet fell, and this unexpected situation led to a cabinet crisis.
As a result, all ongoing business was halted. The action group immediately activated all communication channels to make the offer possible via an email request for approval from the House of Representatives on 10 June 2025, thereby drawing continued attention to the Asian hospitality industry.
Why is this so crucial?
In the Netherlands, when a cabinet is caretaker (i.e. outgoing or resigning), it can still govern, but certain matters are considered “controversial” and are not dealt with. During the offer, the action group emphatically underlined the request for non-controversial matters.
Presented to the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Employment, Ms J. Tielen.
Members of Parliament from the BBB, VVD, PVV, and GROENLINKS/PVDA parties. Actiegroep Aziatische Horeca led by petitioner Sandra Hu, Action group for the Asian hospitality industry and hospitality entrepreneurs.
The petition was presented to the House of Representatives with 35,750 expressions of support. It was received by the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Employment, Ms J. van Tielen. => Even after being presented to the House of Representatives, the current number of signatures has continued to rise and now stands at 37,561.
Parliament has confirmed that the petition will be discussed during the committee debate on Labour Market Policy and Employment Discrimination, scheduled for Sep 24, 2025.
Official letter from parliament
July 3, 2025
Meeting Request with Acting Minister Van Heijum (SZW)
July 9, 2025
The group received a reply confirming that the group will receive a response after the summer recess.
The Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Employment has decided that the Asian Hospitality Advocacy Group's petition contains information that can be used during the committee debate on labor market policy and labor market discrimination. Immediately after the summer recess, on Sep 25, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Petition on House of Representatives agenda
September 25, 2025
Our actions will continue!
CTA
Action 1
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Action 2
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Action 3
Social proof
Openness and transparency build trust.
Read our interviews and articles. The petition campaign has received a lot of attention from various media outlets. You can read the relevant articles and interviews online.
