Netherlands: the Supreme Court limits the maximum load borne by employees

The federation of Dutch unions (FNV) is congratulating itself on a "historical" verdict, rendered on June 18, 2007 by the Supreme Court. A 23-kilogram limit was indeed set by the country's highest judicial body for the maximum weight Dutch employees will now be allowed to lift. (Ref. 070543)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Beyond this limit, employers will be held responsible for their employees’ back problems. In the case in favour of which the Supreme Court spoke out, a man employed in a restaurant won his case. He –- as well as three other employees – had been asked to fix a 200-kg stove. Hit by a slipped disc, this employee had undergone several surgical operations and suffered for ten years, before he was declared 100% disabled. His employer, who refused to pay his compensations, had won in appeal after a fi

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
Portugal: open consultation on the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The news. On 5 August 2026, the Portuguese government published a document proposing a draft text to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the basis for a public consultation open until...
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
Belgium: toward an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian federal government approved a draft bill introducing an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child. This entitlement would be added to existing...
Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...