DutchNews.nl - Jobless benefit plan under fire

A minister's plan to bring back worker contributions for unemployment benefit (ww) has been criticised by MPs from across the politicial spectrum.

Junior social affairs minister Jetta Klijnsma said in an interview with Saturday's Volkskrant she wanted to bring back employee contributions, which were scrapped a year ago. She told the paper she was considering a premium of 0.5% of gross salary.

The money would be used to fund the part-time unemployment benefit scheme which allows companies to reduce staff hours by up to 50%.

'It would be good if people in safe jobs did something to help those who are threatened with losing theirs,' the minister said.

'This would be against all agreements with the cabinet,' a spokesman for the ruling Christian Democrats told the paper.

And a spokesman for the FNV trade union federation said: 'Employers and workers have already paid a lot. There are billions of euros in the benefit funds.'

The Volkskrant says social affairs minister Piet Hein Donner is opposed to bringing back a worker ww premium because of the effect on spending power. Instead, he plans to pay for part-time ww by cutting spending on training and reintegration schemes.

Last week the unemployment benefit office warned that the part-time ww scheme was depleting the benefit's reserves which will shrink by €3bn to €6.8bn this year.

I really don't see a problem with this.
To be honest it was easier for me to accept (pride) unemployment when i knew I was paying into it.
Also .5% is nothing when you look at the 30%+ that we all pay anyway.

By PatriotinExile | July 20, 2009 9:21 AM

Nice. Through the tax system we already punish those who are healthy, educated and active. Let's punish people for being able to hang to their jobs.

By Peter | July 20, 2009 9:32 AM

0.5% premium from all employees, or "the employers premium to be doubled to 7%". Wonder which one of those choices will lead to further job losses at cash-strapped firms?

By Craig | July 20, 2009 11:50 AM

How about reigning in public spending on civil servants, reduce their 35 to 55 days holiday a year to 25 like the rst of us. Or any other cost cutting measure rather than raising more money to feed a bloated public spending budget.

I don't agree that my continued self education, adaptable attitude and work ethic should be punished even more. Save money through efficiencies, don't make us pay more.

By hlm | July 20, 2009 5:43 PM

Peter, I am healthy educated and active. I also have multiple sclerosis. I cannot work. Are you going to punish me too?

By Sarah | July 20, 2009 11:26 PM