Netherlands
Background information on industrial relations in Netherlands
- 22 Dec 2011
Netherlands: New life-sciences park saves hundreds of research jobsAgreement has been reached over the reorganisation of Organon, a subsidiary of global pharmaceuticals company Merck. It follows Merck’s announcement in July 2010 that all its research activities in the Netherlands would end and that production would be reduced by 30%. This was expected to result in the loss of 2,175 jobs. However, there was strong resistance from workers and the parties involved have now agreed to establish a life-sciences park to try to retain some jobs.
- 13 Dec 2011
Netherlands: Committee urges end to abuse of migrant workersResearch on migrant workers has concluded that the Netherlands underestimated how many immigrants would come when the country opened its borders to people from Eastern and Central Europe in 2007. Research from a committee established by the Dutch House of Representatives says the Netherlands was completely unprepared for dealing with the influx. In its report, the committee put forward several measures to tackle the issues that have arisen.
- 22 Nov 2011
Netherlands: New measures to promote independent entrepreneurshipThe Social and Economic Council and the Dutch cabinet recognise the importance of the increasing numbers of self-employed individuals without employees for economic growth. They have therefore adopted measures to create a favourable business climate in order to reduce obstacles for these entrepreneurs. Together, they are working towards lowering the administrative burden borne by self-employed individuals and creating good facilities for independent entrepreneurs. Special insurance schemes have for example been developed and people currently on benefits can more easily make the transition to the entrepreneurship.
- 26 Sep 2011
Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Commerce – NetherlandsThe commerce sector plays an important part in the Dutch economy with traditionally stable employment. The labour relations in the sector are heterogeneous. The size of companies varies enormously, from small, family-run retailers through to multinational companies. This diversity is reflected in the organisational structure of the social partners, in particular in employer organisations.
- 11 Aug 2011
Netherlands: Legislative proposal to boost women in managementThe Senate of the Dutch parliament has voted in favour of legislation aimed at ensuring women occupy 30% of all management positions before 2016 – a tenfold increase on the current number. The Netherlands lags behind other West European countries such as Germany and France in terms of women executives. The government took over this proposal from the previous cabinet, but it remains to be seen whether voluntary compliance will be enough to achieve such an ambitious target.
- 01 Aug 2011
Netherlands: The Netherlands: The representativeness of trade unions and employer organisations in the banking sectorAt the end of 2008 more than 85% of the Dutch banking sector was composed of just five banking institutions. In 2010 this number fell to four. Almost all banks are members of the employers’ organisation the Dutch Association of Banks (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken, NVB), which leads to a sectoral density of about 100%. Union density is, as in other sectors of the Dutch economy, much lower – estimated by a De Unie representative at 20–25%. All unions are recognised partners at the negotiating table and thus signatory partners to the collective agreements in the sector. There is one sector collective agreement for small and medium-sized banks, while the four large banking institutions each have a company-level collective agreement.
- 29 Jul 2011
Netherlands: The Netherlands: EIRO CAR on ‘Helping young workers during the crisis: contributions by social partners and public authorities.’Youth unemployment is about twice as high as general unemployment in the Netherlands. Both employers as well as employees see this situation as a matter of their concern. Employers have an interest in keeping young people connected to the labour market in sight of the expectation of labour market shortages in the (near) future. The government has taken a broad package of measures to fight youth unemployment. The measures are to be executed in regional public-private partnerships. Both employers and employees have criticised the way in which the measures are organised and financed. Beside a regional approach they also advocate a sectoral approach.
- 08 Jul 2011
Netherlands: Dutch government announces major defence cutbacksThe Dutch cabinet has announced heavy cutbacks in defence spending, with €1 billion less to be spent on personnel and equipment over the next four years. Up to 12,000 full-time jobs will have to go, half of which forced redundancies. The Minister of Defence and Prime Minister claim the cutbacks will not prevent the armed forces from playing a meaningful role internationally. The trade unions are outraged at the consequences for personnel and are planning protest meetings.
- 22 Jun 2011
Netherlands: The Netherlands: EIRO CAR on “SMEs in the crisis: Employment, Industrial Relations and Local Partnership”SMEs are of major importance to the Dutch economy and its employment. As the economic crisis of 2008 onwards once again demonstrated, small and medium sized companies are in particular vulnerable to the economic conjuncture. In cooperation with the social partners, the Dutch government has taken measures to lighten the burden on employers and employees, including SMEs. Some of these measures presume involvement of the social partners, also at local level, where implementation takes place.
- 14 Jun 2011
Netherlands: The Netherlands: Representativeness study of the European social partners organisations – Public administration sectorThe Netherlands’ public administration sector employed about 3.5% of workers in the total economy in 2007. Collective bargaining in the genuine sense does not exist in this sector, with the state officially having unilateral power to regulate employment terms. However, negotiations between the Dutch trade unions and the authorities do in effect determine employment terms. Union density in the public administration sector is average compared to other sectors (an estimated 25–30%), though in some subsectors it is higher, most notably NACE 84.22: defence activities.
- 02 May 2011
Netherlands: Dutch pension funds face serious challengesSecond pillar pension funds, built up during employment and which supplement the basic state pension, are facing serious challenges in the Netherlands. Active and retired employees find themselves having to deal with the consequences of financial problems affecting the funds. Retired employees in particular want to have more say in managing the funds. Employers are in consultation with the unions about shifting responsibility for part of the pension risk to employees.
- 21 Apr 2011
Netherlands: Representativeness study of the European social partner organisations: Education sector – NetherlandsThe 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 education 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 Feb 2011
Netherlands: TNT Post and unions agree to halve the number of forced redundanciesFaced with a shrinking postal market and increased competition following deregulation, TNT Post gave warning of 4,500 job cuts. After weeks of sporadic strikes the company reached an agreement in principle with Dutch trade unions to reduce this figure to 2,300. At least 1,700 redundant staff will be transferred to profitable divisions of the company. TNT also withdrew its initial demand that concessions on redundancies be linked to an agreement on wage moderation.
- 14 Feb 2011
Netherlands: The Netherlands: Industrial Relations in the Health Care SectorThe most important development in the health care sector in the Netherlands over the past five years had been the introduction and development of market regulation. Unions are critical of this development and point at contraproductive effects of specialisation and large scale companies. Employers favour entrepeneurship and competition.They point at the advantages of clustering of expertise that would lead to higher revenues. However, also employers see labour market shortages threatening the sector in the near future as a result of a growing demand for care and a shrinking labour population. Therefore they strive at labour conditions that are in conformity with the market. They also emphasize that a market conform salary will not be enough to deal with the labour shortages to come. Technical and social innovation will be necessary too. Continuous vocational training is seen as a key component in these policies. However, competition at local level empedes solid education policies, for no company wants to educate its personnel for their neighbours. In collective agreements, there are also measures taken directed at a better work-life balance, such as flexible working times and possibilities to save time for periods of leave.
- 19 Jan 2011
Netherlands: Netherlands: EIRO CAR on “The effect of the Information and Consultation Directive on Industrial Relations in the EU Member States five years after its transpositionIn more than 70% of the firms with 50 employees or more, a works council has been installed. Compared to other EU-countries, I&C rights in the Netherlands are extensive. The situation since the early 1980’s is rather stable, both from a legislative point of view and in a practical sense.
- 11 Jan 2011
Netherlands: The Netherlands: EIRO Annual Review 2009In January 2009, the Minister of Social Affairs and the social partners remained committed to combating the economic crisis. The government promised to continue the 2008 scheme, offering companies in difficulties the option of making their employees unemployed for a maximum of half their working hours. The union federations committed to putting forward modest wage demands, while employers pledged not to table the issue of raising the present retirement age of 65. This peace agreement collapsed when the social partners were unable to advise unanimously on the retirement age and then in the autumn the government put forward its plan to increase the retirement age. This received the support of the employer organisations. Since the relations have been strained.
- 03 Jan 2011
Netherlands: Mixed reaction among social partners to new government coalitionA new coalition government led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte took office in the Netherlands in October 2010. A major task for the new Cabinet is to identify areas for cutbacks to lower public debt. The proposed cutbacks for the next four-year period, totalling €18 billion, have evoked contrasting responses from the social partners. Business sector enthusiasm is matched by union anger, led by the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) calling the suggested cutbacks ‘antisocial’.