Eindhoven Expats Complain Over Discrimination In Pubs And Clubs

After hearing complaints from expats over discrimination in the city’s nightlife venues, the city council is taking the issue seriously.

Eindhoven’s nightlife street was a favourite for the city’s ever growing expat community until the local government began receiving complaints of discrimination as regards who could and who could not enter certain pubs and clubs. The city’s council has responded to annoyed expats with a solution considered overkill by a good number of owners of the busy venues. Basically, the new rule is ‘three strikes and you’re out’, meaning that should a pub or club take action considered discriminatory three times, its license will be revoked and it will be forced to shut down.

Unsurprisingly, pub and club entrepreneurs aren’t at all happy with the new ruling, but members of all the political parties which make up the city council are in favour of it. One councillor told local media it’s very clear in that, should an establishment be guilty of three discriminatory acts, that’s it for the business. According to another councillor, the majority of entrepreneurs in the street are sticking with the rules and doing well, but a few believe they can do exactly what they please as it’s their pub or club. However, he added, when it’s case of constitutional freedom and human rights there is no appeal as it’s just wrong.

Issues of discrimination against expats reported so far include a number who were refused entry to popular bars, with councillors convinced these are not isolated incidents. The council, it seems, has been attempting to stamp out such behaviour for decades, hence the concrete action now taken. The leader of the street’s business association also considers action is needed after talks with other bar owners, although he considers threats of closure may be a step too far. One alderman is in favour of discussions, but agrees all such instances should be reported to local police. A meeting between representatives of the municipality, the tourism industry, expats and students has been called for next month, in order to discuss further measures to solve the problem.