Netherlands: 1% wage increase for all agency workers

An agreement was reached on May 19th between the ABU, which accounts for 370 members and 60% of the temporary labor market in the Netherlands, the Federation of Christian Unions (CNV Dienstenbond), De Unie, the executives’ union, the Federation of Netherlands Unions and Allies (FNV Bondgenoten) and the Association of National Interests (Landelijke Belangen Verenigning, LBV), an independent union. This agreement amends the sector’s existing collective agreement negotiated for the period between 2009 and 2014. The 1% wage increase granted to the employees was based on the average of increases taken from a panel of 30 collective agreements in other sectors. While the last increase dates back to July 2008, it was agreed that, from now on, wages may be increased every year on July 1st. this amendment was made to the collective agreement, available in English on the ABU’s website (www.abu.nl/abu2/?fileid=14231).