In an initial reaction, the FNV trade union federation said the Bakker commission proposals contained a number of unfair elements.

‘Workers in a weak position will lose rights and security in order to help better-off workers,’ the union said in a statement.
Labour MP Hans Spekman said the short-term measures were ‘loud and clear’, while the long-term proposals contained some ‘interesting’ ideas.
The opposition Liberals (VVD) said the commission had not solved the problems of reforming redundancy law, while social affairs minister Piet Hein Donner said the report highlighted the need for urgent action on joblessness.