Netherlands: as expected, the 36-hour week is going to end

The government should announce, on September 18, 2007, at the same time as its 2008 budget, the end of the 36-hour week, and a return to the 40-hour week. Maria van Hoeven, Minister of Economic Affairs, declared on September 6 that the 40-hour week should now be the norm, to "increase everyone's involvement in the labour market." (Ref. 070731)
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In 2006, according to the logic to suppress all early retirement agreements in collective agreements (see our stroy 06669), the government’s idea consists in increasing the number of active people in order to guarantee the financing of pensions better, in a country where the population is getting older. No detail was given on the practical modalities to return to the 40-hour week, which still remains to be discussed with social partners. Many employees are concerned: out of the 54% of active pe

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