“Weeds don’t really exist, they were invented by humans,” shouts Erwin as he and his colleagues weed the bushes next to the tram tracks. Five men and women in fluorescent orange suits crawl through the undergrowth on their hands and knees. It’s not just their uniforms that are the colour of warning: they are themselves ‘Code Orange’. Physically or mentally, they are not 100% employable on the labour market, which is why they have a contract with Pantar, a company in the Amsterdam region that aims to give them a push in the right direction. Many of Pantar’s clients find permanent jobs in the landscaping sector. Others complete a three-year training course and then get a regular job. It’s not an easy road. If you haven’t been able to keep up with society for years, it’s not easy to get back into a good working rhythm. It’s up to managers to move these people from ‘code orange’ to ‘code green’. Do they manage to get back on the rails and do they dare to look at themselves in the mirror again?
Director: Marjoleine Boonstra
Script: Marjoleine Boonstra, Lieke van den Ouwelant, Lies Janssen
Broadcaster: HUMAN, 2022
For more information: https://marjoleineboonstra.onfabrik.com/portfolio/code-groen
