World Bulletin / News Desk

The number of discrimination reports in the Netherlands grew "explosively" in 2013 compared to the previous year, an annual report said.

The annual report of the Dutch human rights council, College Rechten van de Mens, said the number of complaints increased by 75 percent in 2013, to 2,481.

The data showed a sharp rise in work-related discrimination claims, with 56 percent of the complaints related to the workplace.

Sex discrimination remains a significant problem in the Netherlands, along with discrimination based on skin color or manner of dress.

The council's chairwoman, Laurien Koster, said everyone should be treated equally by the government, which she said must make active efforts to combat discrimination.

The country's deputy prime minister, Lodewijk Asscher, said the government would work toward a solution.