• About EIRO
• Annual reports
• Comparative information
• EU level developments
• Representativeness studies
• Survey Reports
• Browse by:
  • Country
  • Date
  • Sector
  • Subject
• Industrial relations links

Netherlands

Background information on industrial relations in Netherlands

• 23 Dec 2010
  Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Metal sector – Netherlands

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the metal sector in the Netherlands. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 13 Dec 2010
  Netherlands: SER advises on position of self-employed workers and changing socioeconomic policy

  The Social and Economic Council (SER) issued its first recommendations on the position of self-employed workers in the Netherlands in September 2010, proposing the need for agreed minimum rates for self-employed workers. SER believes adjustments are needed to the social security system with respect to the self-employed but not fundamental change. Its recommendations have been welcomed by the new trade union for self-employed workers (FNV Bond voor Zelfstandigen).

• 06 Oct 2010
  Netherlands: The Netherlands: Posted workers

  Data on posted workers are scarce in the Netherlands. A large group comes from Poland (of which half as temporary workers). Most sectors are covered by generally binding collective agreements, with the result that the same terms of employment apply to Dutch and posted workers alike. Moreover, the collective agreement for temporary agency workers has also been declared generally binding. The main problem seems to be fraudulent temporary agencies, which do not comply with the terms of the collective agreement applicable (apart from the fact that such agencies do not pay taxes and social security contributions).

• 01 Sep 2010
  Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – Netherlands

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the inland water transport industry in the Netherlands. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 02 Aug 2010
  Netherlands: Social partners agree on retirement age and pension schemes

  In June 2010, the Dutch social partners agreed on new regulations governing the retirement age under the General Old-Age Pensions Act and pension schemes. In 2020, the retirement age and eligibility for company pension schemes will rise by one year to the age of 66 in line with increasing life expectancy. Pension schemes will become more flexible, so those wishing to stop working could opt for retirement at 65 years of age, but with benefit levels 6.5% lower.

• 07 Jun 2010
  Netherlands: The Netherlands – Developments in social partner organisations: employer organisations’

  Compared with the situation in 2003, the position of employer organisations has not changed. There still are three national peak associations – VNO-NCW, MKB-Nederland and LTO-Nederland – which still represent the same types of companies. The associations are accepted parties in consultations with government. In addition, there are between 800 to 1,200 sectoral organisations, which actually conclude the sectoral collective agreements. These sectoral agreements are usually extended; they cover the labour conditions of more than 90% of employees. This dense organisation of employers reflects their unchanged importance and their unchallenged position in Dutch industrial relations.

• 01 Jun 2010
  Netherlands: Cleaners win pay increase following strike action

  In February 2010, cleaners initiated industrial action for more pay, better working conditions and greater appreciation. Trade unions organised industrial action and strikes, directed mainly against large companies such as Dutch Railways, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and banks, even though the cleaners are not directly employed by these companies. After six weeks of action, the cleaners reached an agreement, including higher travel expenses and a 3% pay rise.

• 01 Jun 2010
  Netherlands: Self-employed workers join Social and Economic Council

  In March 2010, self-employed workers secured a seat on the Social and Economic Council, the government’s permanent advisory body. The Platform for Self-Employed Workers (PZO) will occupy one of the employers’ seats, providing a voice for 650,000 self-employed workers. PZO aims to ease the annual working hours regulation with which self-employed workers must comply for tax benefits. It also aims to simplify contracting regulations in the public sector.

• 28 May 2010
  Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Catering sector – Netherlands

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the contract catering sector in the Netherlands. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 17 May 2010
  Netherlands: Trade union strategies to recruit new groups of workers – Netherlands

  The decline in trade union membership has been an issue since the 1990s. Fewer men and young employees are joining trade unions, although female membership has increased. Declining membership rates are related to the rise in flexible jobs and the fall in employment in a number of industrial sectors which traditionally have had a high union density. Initiatives to attract new members target younger people, self-employed persons and – indirectly – migrant workers.

• 04 May 2010
  Netherlands: Cabinet collapse delays crisis package and retirement reform

  The collapse of the Dutch government in February 2010 is delaying matters of importance for the social partners. The economic crisis and recovery act tops the list, with supporting measures for the private sector and labour market. In addition, postponing decisions related to raising the retirement age is of concern to employer organisations; however, trade unions are relieved that this issue is now likely to be delayed. National elections are to take place on 9 June 2010.

• 27 Apr 2010
  Netherlands: Addressing the gender pay gap: Government and social partner actions – The Netherlands

  The issue of equal pay and the problem of the gender pay gap has been on the agenda of the social partners and the government for many years. Government and social partners have taken action to tackle this form of discrimination. They have encouraged research into sectors and offered instruments and guidance to companies and parties in collective bargaining. The union federation FNV has been one of the leading actors in the process. In more recent years, government and employer organisations have endorsed its efforts. While the gap has become smaller, the goal of the government to reduce the gap still further by 2% in 2011 is viewed as realistic by the social partners.

• 23 Apr 2010
  Netherlands: Continuing uncertainty in postal market

  The Dutch postal sector continues to remain unsettled, with newcomers attempting to break into the market. The new entrants were favoured recently in preliminary relief proceedings against the state concerning bottom-line employment conditions. Despite desires for wage moderation, TNT was meanwhile forced to agree to a pay increase. However, the trade unions had to concede to as many as 4,000 job losses. Moreover, TNT is at risk of being targeted by activist investors.

• 19 Apr 2010
  Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Footwear industry – Netherlands

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the footwear industry in the Netherlands. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 09 Apr 2010
  Netherlands: Civil servants take action against employers’ zero line

  The Dutch Trade Union Federation and the Christian Trade Union Federation will be mobilising against the proposal made by public sector employers to freeze wages in 2010. The terms and conditions of employment enjoyed by civil servants working for municipalities and provincial authorities will be affected. For the employer organisations, the wage demands of 1%, coupled with the same level of investment in training and employment opportunities, are irresponsibly high.

• 16 Mar 2010
  Netherlands: Crisis mirrored in dwindling collective wage increases in 2009

  Although collective wage increases show an upturn of 2.9% in 2009 as a whole, compared with 3.3% in 2008, quarterly figures for 2009 show a marked decrease in collective wage increases. The rise in career policy-related collective agreements and on sustainable employability mirrors the current recession. Such developments in collective bargaining policy can be placed within a framework of agreements reached between the peak social partner organisations between 2007 and 2009.

• 19 Feb 2010
  Netherlands: The Netherlands: EIRO Annual Review 2008

  In the first half of 2008 the relationship between government and social partners was frosty. The entwining of two issues – labour participation and dismissal law – held all parties in a strangling hold. Eventually agreement was reached on a new activating policy on unemployment, with the issue of dismissal law being delegated to a research committee. In the recovering economy it was possible to have higher wage demands and since at the beginning of 2008 it was espected to have labour scarcity, employer associations called for responsible wage development but finally higher wages demand were met in agreements. The improved relationship among social partners and the joint initiatives were being further developed when the financial crisis hit the Netherlands in August. As the crisis turned into an economic recession, priorities have changed in keeping companies afloat and employees at work. Government and social partners have now somewhat closed ranks to cope with the effects of the crisis.

• 10 Feb 2010
  Netherlands: The Netherlands: Individual disputes at the workplace – alternative disputes resolution

  In the Netherlands individual labour disputes in the private sector are generally regulated by private law and dealt with by a single judge of a District Court competent to hear individual labour disputes. Disputes about dismissals are regulated by the Social Insurance Administration Office. Individual labour disputes in the public sector are regulated by administrative law and dealt with by an administrative court. Preceding and during legal proceedings parties may opt for mediation either upon their own initiative or upon referral by a judge or any other person or institution. There is no statutory, governmental organisation offering mediation services in individual labour disputes. The mediation practice is thus privately established. However, the Dutch government is in favour of mediation. This can be illustrated by various mediation experiments, which were initiated and subsidised by the Dutch government and the introduction of mediation sections within the district and appeal courts on 1 April 2007.

• 21 Jan 2010
  Netherlands: The Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Personal services sector

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the personal services sector in the Netherlands. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 19 Jan 2010
  Netherlands: KPN sets example by appointing women to key executive positions

  Telecommunications company KPN has taken the lead as the first group to exclusively invite women to apply for executive positions. In doing so, the company is taking a step further than the Dutch House of Representatives, which adopted a proposal of the governing Labour Party in October 2009 to introduce a target of 30% for women in executive positions in large companies. A manifesto drafted by 240 women in executive positions calls for a quota of 40%.

• 12 Jan 2010
  Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Civil aviation – Netherlands

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the civil aviation industry in the Netherlands. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.