Netherlands
Background information on industrial relations in Netherlands
- 08 Dec 2005
Netherlands: Tugboat and salvage worker strike at Smit Internationale achieves better collective terms<#PDF_LINK>Tugboat and salvage workers at the maritime company Smit Internationale came out in strike in November 2005, after collective bargaining rounds ran aground. In addition to increased pay and price compensation, compensation for overtime and treatment by management were on the agenda. In the wake of various 12-hour strikes affecting different divisions within the company, the Allied Unions (FNV Bondgenoten) are again in a position to put a new proposal for a collective agreement to their members.
- 15 Nov 2005
Netherlands: Lower House rejects proposal for single mothers receiving benefits to work in care programmes<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, State Secretary mister Van Hoof of Social Affairs proposed that single mothers with young children receiving benefits should find employment in an out-of-school-time care programme. He believes this should be done in return for receiving benefits, on top of which he will dish out a bonus. Shortly before this announcement, his colleagues, the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Education, had said that schools will be obligated to offer out-of-school-time care programmes from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm should parents request such. While the Lower House does support the latter proposal, an overwhelming majority rejected the proposed obligation for single mothers receiving benefits to work in these care programmes.
- 07 Nov 2005
Netherlands: Major employer organisations forge an alliance<#PDF_LINK>Two of the most significant Dutch employers’ organisations, VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland have forged an alliance. The move was mainly prompted by overlapping interests, dual membership and efficiency gains. Following the drive to achieve a good position in recent years and putting paid to mutual differences, the new scenario is one of unity. The trade unions have yet to respond with anything but reticence.
- 28 Oct 2005
Netherlands: New union created for young employees<#PDF_LINK>An independent trade union aimed at young workers and freelancers was set up in the Netherlands in October 2005. The new Alternative Trade Union (AVV) is critical of employers and the existing trade unions, claiming they take into account only the interests of older workers and neglect the interests of the young. Specific issues highlighted by AVV include early retirement, pensions and dismissal protection. AVV also criticises what it sees as the undemocratic internal organisation of traditional unions. It hopes to gain a seat in collective bargaining and on consultative bodies.
- 19 Oct 2005
Netherlands: Collective agreements signed for civil servants<#PDF_LINK>During 2005, collective agreements for one million government employees are being negotiated under pressure for better performance at a lower cost. The biggest cutbacks relate to staff costs: many civil servants leave on the basis of early retirement schemes. Early retirement schemes are likewise under scrutiny in collective bargaining in this sector of the economy. The police force and city cleaning services came out on strike largely because of this. In its role as an employer, the government finds itself facing an ageing workforce. Expectations are that the younger staff members needed will either not be there in the future or will not choose to work for government. Under heavy pressure, a collective agreement emerged for government employees, in which transition measures have been put in place concerning (early) retirement. Younger staff members can build up new rights in the form of life-course leave arrangements, and older employees can forfeit early retirement rights.
- 10 Oct 2005
Netherlands: Social partners critical of government’s budget<#PDF_LINK>The Dutch social partners are extremely critical of the government’s budget for 2006, presented at the opening of parliament in September 2005. The government had promised that 2006 would be a year of reaping the rewards of previous efforts. Instead it appears that employers and employees will again lose ground in financial terms. Employers are alarmed at the unexpected additional cost of a new healthcare system and employees will see their spending power diminish in relative terms.
- 10 Oct 2005
Netherlands: Strike against dismissals at potato starch group<#PDF_LINK>Employees at Avebe, the potato starch group in the Netherlands, came out on strike on 20 September. They are striking in protest against the intended dismissal of 400 colleagues. The board of management of the company, a company which has been affected by reorganisation for some time, asserts that there are no other options in light of dwindling revenues. In a bid to break the strike, the company appealed to the subdistrict court. The court ruled that the strike was lawful and the strike continued. In the end an agreement was reached between the parties on 6 October. The 148 employees for whom approval for dismissal had been requested, will be given 15 more months in the company’s employ during which Avebe can actively seek alternative employment.
- 06 Sep 2005
Netherlands: Collective bargaining under downwards pressure<#PDF_LINK>Collective bargaining rounds initiated since the social agreement with government after winter 2004 are under downwards pressure. The unions are attempting to repair the negative impact of this agreement for employees in collective agreements. Employers find themselves compelled to look for the most economical solutions in the face of economic downturn. The social partners themselves acknowledge that there is little room for any real rejuvenation in the collective agreements.
- 25 Aug 2005
Netherlands: Social partners to play greater role under simplified Working Conditions Act<#PDF_LINK>In July 2005, the Dutch government accepted a recommendation from the tripartite Social and Economic Council (SER) on reform of the Working Conditions Act. This involves giving the social partners greater responsibility in the implementation of health and safety at work and cutting the number of rules and regulations, by distinguishing between objectives and means. The government will take responsibility for the objectives, with the Labour Inspectorate monitoring compliance, and employers and employees becoming jointly responsible for the methods used to achieve the objectives.
- 15 Aug 2005
Netherlands: Tripartite agreement generates considerable conflict<#PDF_LINK>The 2004 autumn agreement between government and the social partners was hammered out with great difficulty. Following arduous negotiations, government and the social partners finally reached accord on wage moderation, the Occupational Disability Insurance Act (WAO), life-cycle leave arrangements and early retirement, daycare, lifelong learning, and age-related personnel policy. With the exception of wage moderation, all other topics agreed at central level appear to have generated considerable conflict during the bargaining rounds. Only 6% of the collective labour agreements were closed before June 2005. A high degree of social unrest stemmed from two issues in particular: early retirement and the level of continued wage payment during the first two-year period of illness. Other important issues within the context of social innovation and age-related personnel policy were set aside, not even making it to the negotiating table.
- 29 Jul 2005
Netherlands: Pensions remain key issue in collective bargaining<#PDF_LINK>Pension-related issues have featured strongly in the 2005 collective bargaining round in the Netherlands, as they did in 2004. Employers are cutting the costs of early retirement schemes and at a number of companies pension risk is being shifted towards the employees. Meanwhile, the financial position of occupational pension funds has improved significantly, while the government has announced its intention to introduce a new Pension Act.
- 29 Jul 2005
Netherlands: Workers from new EU Member States undeterred by restrictive policy<#PDF_LINK>The Dutch government is pursuing a restrictive policy on the free movement of workers from the new EU Member States in central and eastern Europe. Despite this, over 2004-5 their numbers have swelled - especially those from Poland. The restrictive policy is also leading to increasing numbers of self-employed individuals and illegal workers. Recent legislation means that all employees seconded from abroad will henceforth fall within the scope of Dutch collective agreements.
- 21 Jul 2005
Netherlands: 2004 Annual Review for the Netherlands<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in the Netherlands during 2004.
- 30 Jun 2005
Netherlands: Government accepts SER recommendation on unemployment insurance reform<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, the Netherlands' tripartite Social and Economic Council (SER) issued a unanimous recommendation, requested by the government, on reform of the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW). Subsequently, the government announced that it would be implementing the recommendation. virtually in its entirety. The unemployment insurance system will thus be reformed, for example by cutting the maximum period of benefit entitlement and tightening the rules on the previous period of employment required. At the same time, there will be greater emphasis on prevention of unemployment, reintegration back into work and activation of unemployed people, along with changes to dismissals law.
- 18 May 2005
Netherlands: Security for the self-employed and their employers<#PDF_LINK>In 2005, self-employed individuals and their employers will be awarded greater security based on the Declaration of Independent Contractor Status (Verklaring Arbeidsrelatie, VAR) In this, the tax authorities and the body implementing employee insurance schemes (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen, UWV) indicate if they recognise the working relationships of the self-employed as independent labour or as labour in respect of employment, or that they simply do not know. The distinction between the self-employed and employees is always a difficult one. The security for self-employed individuals and their employers is that there will no longer be penalties if the self-employed are deemed to be employees in retrospect.
- 15 May 2005
Netherlands: Thematic feature on unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in the Netherlands, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
Netherlands: Increasing relocation of production to Eastern Europe, India and China; cause for concern but kept in perspective<#PDF_LINK>The relocation of production to Eastern Europe, India and China increased further in 2004. Philips, DSM, Viasytems and Océ are but a few of the companies to have hived off jobs and locations over the last year to relaunch or expand operations elsewhere in a number of cases. In the wake of increasing globalisation, production in the Netherlands is either no longer competitive or it has become more attractive for companies to maintain production closer to the emerging markets. Relocation is becoming increasingly attractive due to cost differences and direct market access. A broad study shows that the scale of relocation and the impact this is having on the economy and on job opportunities must not be exaggerated. The Dutch economy operates at a low price, and the rate of unemployment at the bottom end of the wage system is not that high.
- 19 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in the Netherlands, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 14 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Collective bargaining under the autumn 2004 social agreement<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the Dutch government and social partner reached a social agreement, providing for strict pay moderation in 2005 as well as dealing with matters such as occupational disability insurance, life-span leavearrangements and early retirement. This article reviews collective bargaining since the agreement was reached, as of February 2005. Negotiations have generally been difficult and it appears that employers and trade unions have differing interpretations of the social agreement.
- 14 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Gender equality process falling short of targets<#PDF_LINK>A government-commissioned report published in late 2004 finds that the process of achieving gender equality in the Netherlands is falling short of objectives set by the government. Growth in women's labour market participation is lagging behind the targets set; despite being educated to a higher average level than the male workforce, the number of women being promoted to high-level positions is stagnating; a recent survey indicates that employers believe that working part time and occupying a high-level or managerial position cannot be combined; and pay discrimination appears to be persisting. Partly in response to criticism expressed by the European Union, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment has promised to intensify equality policy. He has also given the social partners an important role in implementing policies directed at combating pay discrimination.
- 01 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Unanimous SER recommendation on simplification of Working Hours Act<#PDF_LINK>On 18 February 2005, the Social and Economic Council issued a unanimous recommendation on the simplification of the Working Hours Act. The basic premise is to combine a good level of protection with sufficient space for flexibility.
- 14 Feb 2005
Netherlands: Occupational health services to be reformed<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, the Lower House of the Dutch parliament adopted a legislative proposal that amends the manner in which occupational health services are organised. There will be far-reaching liberalisation of the occupational health services market, with employee participation playing a central role in arranging provision. The change also responds to a ruling issued in May 2003 by the European Court of Justice concerning the obligation on employers to give priority to in-house expertise in organising preventive health and safety measures. The new system is highly complex.
- 14 Jan 2005
Netherlands: Government seeks SER recommendation on Working Conditions Act reform<#PDF_LINK>In October 2004, the Dutch government asked the tripartite Social and Economic Council (SER) to issue a recommendation on suggested changes to the 1998 Working Conditions Act, which governs health and safety at work. The government's premise is that primary responsibility for ensuring good working conditions rests within companies themselves and that more leeway must thus be given to employers and employees to develop this responsibility. It therefore proposes deregulation and the promotion of self-regulation, with special attention to the position of small and medium-sized enterprises. The social partners have differing views on the changes suggested by the government.