Netherlands: draft reform to let businesses derogate from collective agreements when they have problems

The goal is to avoid bankruptcies with the recession announced for 2012.  The point is to make sure that the weakest businesses are not bound by the sectoral agreements negotiated annually.  The Minister explained that they should notably be allowed to overrule agreements on early retirement to reduce their number if the economic situation demands it.  Christian-democratic MP Eddy van Heijum, who specializes in social issues, also told the Het Financieele Dagblad economic daily that the 2.5% increases negotiated for 2011 and 2012 as part of collective agreements could be hard to enforce for employers.  Unions are rejecting this plan, on which the Social Affairs Minister is going to work for the next few weeks before presenting the details.  Unions believe employers and unions have are free to review the agreements already negotiated if need be.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

2.5% increases negotiated for 2011 and 2012 as part of collective agreements could be hard to enforce for employers. Unions are rejecting this plan, on which the Social Affairs Minister is going to work for the next few weeks before presenting the details. Unions believe employers and unions have are free to review the agreements already negotiated if need be.

Planet Labor, November 29, 2011, No. 110736 – www.planetlabor.com

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Poland: reform introduces possibility of working for another employer while on sick leave
On 7 January, the President of Poland promulgated an amendment to the country’s social insurance act. The reform aims to clarify the activities permitted during sick leave, so that...
France: social partner talks extend far beyond contractual terminations
After a false start on 3 December, French social partners resumed talks on 7 January 2026 on potential changes to the unemployment insurance agreement, including the rules governing compensation...
12 January 2026
France: Crédit Agricole signs first independent agreement on disability
On 8 December, French banking group Crédit Agricole and three of the four representative trade unions (CFE-CGC, CFDT and FO) in France signed a disability agreement for the period...
Norway: role of labour inspectorate strengthened to prevent sick leave
On 8 January, the Norwegian government issued a 2026 letter of assignment to the labour inspectorate, signalling an intention to strengthen its enforcement activity. The main objective of the...
9 January 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
2
Italy: collective agreement for rubber and plastics sector focuses on new skills
A month ahead of schedule, the Federazione Gomma Plastica employers' organisation and the Filctem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uiltec trade unions have renewed the collective agreement for the rubber and...
5 January 2026
3
France: social partner talks extend far beyond contractual terminations
After a false start on 3 December, French social partners resumed talks on 7 January 2026 on potential changes to the unemployment insurance agreement, including the rules governing compensation...
12 January 2026