Dutch cabinet schedules 7 October talks with unions and employers

Dutch trade union FNV expects to meet employers next week to discuss the future of social security, its chair Hans Spekman said on Wednesday. He expects the talks to take place through the Stichting van de Arbeid, which brings together unions and employers, and to begin with introductory discussions. [1]

Spekman said the main issue would be how to improve WIA disability benefits. The expected talks follow union protests against proposed government cuts, including strikes in public transport. The Dutch cabinet announced on Tuesday that it was withdrawing those plans. [1]

Spekman called the withdrawal a victory. He said €6.8 billion in social-security cuts had been planned when the unions began their campaign. [1]

Update

A spokesperson for Social Affairs Minister Hans Vijlbrief said the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 7 October at the Catshuis. Prime Minister Rob Jetten and ministers Thierry Aartsen and Heleen Herbert are due to join Vijlbrief, alongside representatives of FNV, CNV, VCP, VNO-NCW, MKB and LTO. [2]

The date follows the cabinet’s withdrawal of proposed cuts to benefits worth billions, which unions had demanded before talks could begin. [2]