VVD ministers say not enough time for new public sector salary ceiling

Two VVD ministers – housing minister Stef Blok and health minister Edith Schippers – have said they do not have enough time to enact new ceilings on public sector pay from January 1.

The senate voted at a special session on Monday to bring in a new limit for public sector executive salaries – giving them a ceiling of 100% of a minister’s pay rather than 130%.

VVD senators voted against the measure, saying they felt it was premature given the previous reduction was not given enough time to have an impact. The D66 Liberals and Christian Democrats also voted against.

The two ministers said in a briefing to parliament on Tuesday they will not be able to bring in the new limit next year.

‘I consider the remaining period of time to January 1, 2015 insufficient,’ Blok said.

According to the Volkskrant, it would appear the ministers had not expected the measure to pass before the end of the year.

Schippers is also dealing with the fall-out following the failure of three labour senators to back her proposals to allow health insurance companies to restrict patient choice in budget policies.