Thu 15 May
18:00–20:00
RADIUS MENSA: LABOUR RIGHTS FOR ANIMALS with Vakbond voor Dieren

— Conversation dinner with VAKBOND VOOR DIEREN

The Netherlands is home to 650 million animals with a job. Many of them work under miserable conditions leading up to their unnatural death. Ranging from cows producing milk, to chicken producing eggs, to sheep producing wool: all of these animals with a job work for their employer who often also is their owner. At the end of their working life, they are killed because they are no longer able to perform, do not produce enough, or because their death is needed for the product. Yet, just like humans these non-humans are able to experience pain as well as joy during their working life. Still they remain merely objects in the eyes of the law, and are valued according to how useful they are to humans. None of these animals with a job are able to influence the policies and politics which determine their working conditions and thus their working life.

On 15 May, Marjolein de Rooij, founder of the Vakbond voor Dieren (Union for the Animals) joins the RADIUS MENSA. The Vakbond voor Dieren strives to acquire (some form of) labour rights for these animals with a job, as well as improving their working conditions. Although this might seem far-fetched, other countries have already introduced forms of labour rights for animals with a job. For instance, police dogs in Nottingham are entitled to a pension when their career is over.

RADIUS MENSA
From December 2024, RADIUS will start a monthly series of conversation dinners: the RADIUS MENSA. Every last Thursday of the month, RADIUS will host a vegan meal and invite a speaker or initiative focussing on one topic related to climate change and local, personal approaches to it. From everyday activism to climate depression, from the psychological impact of climate reports to the importance of civic initiatives and assemblies, all kinds of topics will be discussed. Come along and join us for a good conversation and a meal!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
⌀ Date: Thursday 15 May 2025
⌀ Doors open: 17:30
⌀ RADIUS MENSA: 18:00 – 20:00
⌀ Language: Dutch
⌀ Free of charge, R.S.V.P required
⌀ Location: RADIUS, Kalverbos 20
⌀ Note that the location is not wheelchair accessible. Please get in contact with us to discuss alternative ways to allow your participation.