‘Jobs committee looks at cutting benefit’

A committee set up to advise the government on ways of getting more people into work is looking at possibly cutting unemployment benefit, sources told news agency ANP.


The committee, under the leadership of TNT CEO Peter Bakker, is considering recommending that unemployment benefit (ww), now payable for 38 months, be cut to a maximum of as little as one year, the sources say.
In addition, the committee may suggest giving workers more rights to build up reserves of money to help fund any jobless periods.
A spokesman for the committee said on Thursday it is still too early to make any comment and that no definitive recommendations have been drawn up. The group is due to make its formal report in mid-June.
The Bakker committee was set up by the government after its efforts to reduce redundancy payouts and make it easier to sack staff failed, following resistance from Labour ministers.
The cabinet has a commitment to getting 100,000 more people into work.
René Paas, chairman of the CNV trade union federation told ANP it would be regrettable if the committee did recommend cuts in unemployment benefit.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation