The new chairman of the FNV trade union federation, the biggest Dutch union grouping, has called on the next government to slash tax breaks for freelancers.

The tax advantages and other benefits from freelancers are stimulating a race to the bottom in terms of wages, Han Busker told the Financieele Dagblad.

Flexible forms of work have become too cheap because of the tax breaks and it is employers who ultimately benefit, Busker told the paper.

Busker’s call comes at a sensitive time because the FNV is currently embroiled in difficult talks with employers organisation VNO-NCW on a joint programme to tackle on the job training, robotisation and freelancing.

The aim is to come up with an agreement which could be incorporated into the next government’s plans.