Netherlands
Background information on industrial relations in Netherlands
- 18 Dec 2001
Netherlands: Trade unions finances and representativeness under debate<#PDF_LINK>In December 2001, the largest trade union in the Netherlands, Allied Unions (FNV Bondgenoten), announced that it would be undergoing further reorganisation as a result of financial difficulties. Its membership figures are also stagnating, along with those of other unions. Meanwhile, parliamentary debate on the representativeness of the trade union movement has continued and the established trade union movement itself is seeking protection based on the representativeness criterion in cases of competition from new unions.
- 06 Dec 2001
Netherlands: Mass redundancies announced at KPN<#PDF_LINK>In late October 2001, the Dutch telecommunications group, KPN , announced plans to make 4,800 employees redundant. Following negotiations with trade unions, in November the number of compulsory redundancies was cut to 2,800, with 2,000 older employees to depart voluntarily. In return for the reduction in the number of redundancies, KPN staff have accepted pay cuts.
- 05 Dec 2001
Netherlands: Unions aim to take moderate approach in bargaining<#PDF_LINK>In November 2001, in the course of the customaryautumn consultationbetween Dutch employers, trade unions and government, the union federations announced their intention to adopt a moderate approach during forthcoming collective bargaining. They are also prepared to accept more sector-specific wage increases.
- 27 Nov 2001
Netherlands: Job losses and new rules on employment conditions in temporary work agencies<#PDF_LINK>During October 2001, the Dutch temporary agency work market (Europe's largest) started to suffer as the economy entered difficulties, with agencies experiencing falls in profits and announcing job cuts. Meanwhile, the social partners within the Labour Foundation agreed a set of recommendations to address the problem of the relationship between specific collective agreements for the temporary agency work sector and those applying in user companies. The Foundation has produced a more exact definition of when the pay and conditions set by temporary agency work sector agreements apply, and when they are superseded by those in the sectoral agreement covering the user company.
- 02 Nov 2001
Netherlands: Decentralisation of working time regulation to enterprise level assessed<#PDF_LINK>One of the goals of the Dutch Working Time Act of 1996 was to transfer decision-making on working time to the enterprise or even plant level. A survey evaluating the effects of the Act, carried out in 2000 and published in 2001, finds that the ability of employee representatives to counter management proposals in this area leaves a great deal to be desired in many enterprises. As yet, however, the government sees no reason to intervene.
- 24 Oct 2001
Netherlands: Mixed response to call for wage moderation in wake of attacks on USA<#PDF_LINK>Given the economic uncertainty following the attacks on the USA on 11 September 2001, the Dutch Minister for Social Affairs and Employment has called on the social partners for greater wage moderation in the Netherlands. While employers agree, trade unions see the appealas somewhat premature.
- 17 Oct 2001
Netherlands: EU reclaims ESF funding from the Netherlands<#PDF_LINK>In July 2001, the European Commission announced that it was reclaiming EUR 239 million of European Social Fund (ESF) money from the Netherlands. The funding, it is claimed, was spent by the Dutch Employment Service with insufficient care and for purposes other than those intended (additional activities to train unemployed people in order to increase their chances of finding employment in the regular labour market). The Dutch social partners, who are involved in administering the Employment Service, support the actions of the Service and the Ministry of Social Affairs, while a committee of inquiry has exonerated the Ministry and Service and questioned the European Commission's method of investigation. A parliamentary majority has expressed agreement with the committee's conclusions.
- 07 Sep 2001
Netherlands: Occupational pension fund issues still controversial<#PDF_LINK>In 2001, high occupational pension fund yields have once again prompted discussions in the Netherlands on the allocation of reserves. Pensioners have voiced the loudest opposition to returning fund surpluses to companies at a time when their pensions are lagging behind wage growth. The pensioners also complain about their lack of influence in the management of pension funds, which are traditionally jointly managed by the social partners. In the future, higher pension contributions may exert pressure on collective bargaining and possibly lead to government intervention in pension schemes.
- 28 Aug 2001
Netherlands: Disability insurance reform proves divisive<#PDF_LINK>Following the recent report of the Donner committee on the modernisation of the Dutch disability insurance system (WAO), the tripartite Social and Economic Council (SER) was due to advise the government on possible reform measures. However, before the SER had given its opinion, in summer 2001, two of the three parties in the coalition government, VVD and D66 joined with the opposition CDA in submitting a legislative proposal on the issue to parliament. This proposal would allow employers to dismiss employees who are off sick if the latter do not cooperate in finding ways to return to work. The other coalition party, the PvdA, immediately presented a counter-proposal requiring employers to take additional measures in this area. The trade unions are threatening to boycott the SER discussions on the issue if the government accepts the VVD-D66-CDA proposal.
- 07 Aug 2001
Netherlands: Corporate social responsibility under debate<#PDF_LINK>In 2001, the issue of corporate social responsibility is high on the agenda of Dutch social partners and politicians. In January, the tripartite advisory Social and Economic Council published a unanimous recommendation on the issue. The subsequent debate mainly concerned the desirability of legislation compelling companies to report on their policies in areas such as the environment and human rights. The social partners reject legislation for the time being. Meanwhile, the concept of sustainable investment is playing an increasingly important role for institutional investors.
- 28 Jul 2001
Netherlands: New roster introduced at Dutch Railways despite rejection by largest union<#PDF_LINK>In June 2001, Dutch Railways (NS) implemented a highly controversial new duty roster - which has been the subject of substantial industrial action in recent months - despite the fact that an agreement on its introduction has been rejected by the largest rail trade union, FNV Bondgenoten. However, due to a lack of equipment and staff (with high levels of absence), NS has already been forced to amend the new schedule.
- 28 Jul 2001
Netherlands: Controversy over wage moderation<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2001, debate over wage moderation has dominated Dutch industrial relations, with inflation reaching 5.4% in May - the highest rate in the "euro-zone". The government, the president of the Dutch Bank and employers' organisations have called for pay restraint, but the social partners differ over what constitutes "sensible" wage increases, with employers calling for 2% rises and trade unions sticking to 4%. The debate was further fuelled by reports that executive salaries were rising at an annual rate of 14%.
- 28 Jun 2001
Netherlands: Strikes in healthcare and docks while rail agreement is rejected<#PDF_LINK>In May-June 2001, conflicts over new pay agreements broke out in the Dutch healthcare and docks sectors. Meanwhile, an agreement on controversial new rosters at Dutch Railways (NS) was rejected by the membership of the largest rail union, FNV Bondgenoten.
- 28 Jun 2001
Netherlands: Debate over making supplementary pension coverage compulsory<#PDF_LINK>Mid-2001 has seen considerable activity in the Netherlands on the issue of supplementary pensions provision. The government is proposing to make supplementary pension schemes, where they exist, "generally applicable" to all employees. In May, the advisory Social and Economic Council (SER) expressed a negative opinion on this approach. Meanwhile, in April, two members of the Lower House of parliament - both belonging to parties in the ruling coalition - proposed two private members' bills which would go further than the government envisages. Employers would be required to provide minimum supplementary pension rights for all employees. The context is that around 10% of Dutch workers - often women - have no supplementary pensions cover.
- 28 May 2001
Netherlands: Committee recommends occupational disability insurance reform<#PDF_LINK>In June 2000, the Dutch government set up a committee of inquiry to make recommendations on the future of occupational disability insurance (WAO). The main lines of the committee's unanimous proposals were made public in April 2001. The current provisions should apply only to employees who are permanently and fully unable to work as a result of disability, whereas those who will eventually be able to return to work should retain their employment contract with their employer. Employers and employees should attempt to reinstate the latter category of employee, in a different job if necessary. The trade unions have announced plans to seek compensation in collective agreements for the loss of income which would be incurred by partially disabled employees as a result of the proposal, but employer's associations have already indicated that they will oppose such provisions.
- 28 Apr 2001
Netherlands: Rail unions threaten strikes as arbitration fails<#PDF_LINK>Following the rejection by trade union members of an agreed reorganisation plan for the state-owned Dutch Railways (NS) in mid-March 2001, an arbitration committee was convened, which recommended postponing introduction of a controversial new duty roster. NS management refused to do so, and the unions responded by calling for strikes. The Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management was still seeking a solution in early April.
- 28 Apr 2001
Netherlands: Tight labour market and inflation drive collective bargaining outcomes<#PDF_LINK>The tight labour market in the Netherlands is having an impact on collective bargaining in 2001. Most collective agreements concluded up until April include a 4% wage increase, with some displaying strong upward deviations. Warnings from the government against straying from wage moderation have met with little success so far. Negotiations in the public sector have taken centre stage following publication of a report at the start of the year outlining the sector's recruitment potential.
- 28 Apr 2001
Netherlands: New agreement reached at Dutch railways<#PDF_LINK>Following a series of strikes over proposed new duty rosters at Dutch Railways (NS), and failed attempts at arbitration and mediation (which included the transport minister), a new agreement on the issue was signed on 23 April 2001 by management and the FNV and CNV trade unions. The deal provides for the new rosters to come into force in June 2001, as planned, but allows the works council to draw up an alternative plan. It also contains provisions on improved employment conditions. The agreement is opposed by the independent Trade Union for Engine Drivers and Conductors (VVMC).
- 28 Mar 2001
Netherlands: First collective agreements reached for 2001<#PDF_LINK>February saw the conclusion of the first collective agreements in the Netherlands' 2001 bargaining round. A deal in the small-scale construction sector provides for a 5.5% wage increase - rather higher than the 4% recommended by the FNV trade union confederation. The year's first agreement in the industrial sector was reached at Unilever, and includes provisions on performance-based pay, which remains a stumbling block in bargaining elsewhere.
- 28 Mar 2001
Netherlands: Union representativeness under debate<#PDF_LINK>In February 2001, the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment published the findings of a study into the representativeness of trade unions, prompted by parliamentary questions on the issue. The study indicates that while around a quarter of the labour force are union members, 85% are covered by collective agreements, and 85% of non-union members believe that their interests are in good hands with the unions. The debate on the representativeness issue prompted by the parliamentary interest has been fierce and has raised questions about representation on national consultative and negotiating bodies, and on matters such as declaring collective agreements generally binding, how unions can attract more members and the representativeness of employers' organisations.
- 28 Feb 2001
Netherlands: Commission finds unequal pay for new teachers discriminatory<#PDF_LINK>In 1985, the Dutch government and education trade unions agreed to lower the salaries of newly-recruited teachers, in order to cut costs. In January 2001, the Equal Treatment Commission found that this measure was indirectly discriminatory against women, as two-thirds of newly appointed teachers have been female. The government, faced with a major bill for rectifying the situation, is not convinced of the violation and has sought legal advice.
- 28 Feb 2001
Netherlands: Agreement reached at Dutch Railways, while further privatisation is halted<#PDF_LINK>Despite repeated wildcat strikes, management and the largest trade unions at Dutch Railways (NS) reached an agreement on the company's reorganisation plan in late January 2001. The agreement has done little to quell labour unrest, while customers and the largest shareholder, the Dutch government, are widely dissatisfied with NS's policies and service. The problems are linked to the company's independent but not fully privatised position, a matter about which the Minister of Transport and the Lower House of parliament are growing increasingly sceptical. The privatisation procedure has been halted for the time being and the Minister is drawing up legislation to increase the government's power to ensure that NS realises its public objectives.
- 28 Jan 2001
Netherlands: Ethnic minority labour market participation still low despite more stringent legislation<#PDF_LINK>In late 2000, the Dutch Institute for Multicultural Development (Forum) highlighted the relatively low participation rate of people from ethnic minority groups in the labour market. The organisation has threatened to institute legal proceedings, in view of the fact that legislation tightened in 1998 appears to have failed to achieve its objectives.
- 28 Jan 2001
Netherlands: 2001 bargaining round likely to be difficult<#PDF_LINK>In its recommendations for the Dutch 2001 bargaining round, the bipartite Labour Foundation has called for wage moderation, plus measures to improve training and employability and to modernise remuneration policy. However, bargaining is likely to be turbulent, with some employers seeking cuts in sick pay, and a number of unions affiliated to the FNV confederation seeking 6% pay increases, rather than the 4% recommended by FNV. The government supports wage restraint and has taken budgetary and other measures to promote training, working time flexibility and employee savings.