On Thursday morning, 14 September 2023, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands officially opened the new building of Iederz, the social development company of the municipality of Groningen that supports people, who are at the base of the labour market, in their first step to work. Collaborating with more than a hundred organizations work is offered, both internally as externally, like assembly and mounting, technology, cleaning or catering. Approximately 1,100 people are able to develop their own pace and under guidance. Also skills training and development programs are offered to the people, that wish to take the next step in the labour market. The new building is sustainable and covers 16,000 square meters.
Around 700 employees had been invited for the opening. And also media was present, including me, living close to the location, about 15 minutes by bike. The weather was really nice. There were a few pretty short speeches, in which it was told that Willem-Alexander’s grandmother Queen Juliana had opened the previous building in 1985, and that 35 people, working for Iederz at the time, are still there. There also was the spoken word by city poet Myron Hamming, who hardly misses an event in Groningen. Then the official opening followed. Someone arrived in a forklift carrying a huge box. Two employees, Desiree and Marga, took out the word “Iederz”, and gave it to the king. He had to hang it on the right spot. Marga shed some tears when the king shook her hand, Desiree was somewhat nervous, but it all went very well. And even the forklift driver got a thumb up from the king.
While the famous local musicians Rooie Rinus and Pé Daalemmer seem to have rocked the hall, the media went on tour through the building, with King Willem-Alexander, led by the director of Iederz, Gina Olthoff. What I saw: interesting work spaces, frank employees, who passionately spoke about their work and goals, and openly spoke and joked about working conditions. The King himself was very interested, and thought what he heard and saw was impressive.
At the end of the visit, the King left again. However the party at Iederz continued for a few more hours, with lots of music, entertainment and food. I was later told by someone online, that not all employees had been satisfied, as they hadn’t been able to attend the opening. There was more than enough space outside, but I heard people hadn’t been allowed to stand there. I suppose there must have been a reason, security maybe, that people weren’t allowed to be around there. But I must admit, I also thought it was pretty quiet out there.