CONSULTATION SYSTEM
| NETHERLANDS |
| OVERLEGECONOMIE CONSULTATION SYSTEM |
The Dutch industrial relations system, and particularly the system of collective pay determination, is characterized by a heavy reliance on consultation between organized interest groups. Representation and consultation are highly institutionalized in a system of rules and bodies such as the bipartite Labour Foundation and tripartite Social and Economic Council . Below this central level, neo-corporatist consultative, executive and advisory bodies were also set up (although less successfully) at the sector and product-group level (see corporatism ). These proved generally ineffective except in the agricultural and foodstuffs sectors. Over the past 10 years or so the direct influence of centralized tripartite consultation has gradually given way to a trend towards decentralization. Consultation and final pay determination at industry and enterprise level have increased in importance. In addition to collective pay determination, the tripartite system of consultation or direction and control also applies to other areas such as job placement (see Employment Service ) and social security .
Please note: the European industrial relations glossaries were compiled between 1991 and 2003 and are not updated. For current material see the European industrial relations dictionary.