Dutch employers have come out in support of a D66 draft bill to anchor membership of the Europen Union in the constitution to prevent a chaotic Brexit-like scenario should this ever come about.

The move would be a ‘very important and wise one’, employers’ organisation VNO-NCW and MKB Nederland told MPs in a letter, the NRC reports.

‘The bill guarantees that the Dutch EU membership will never be put in jeopardy lightly,’ the letter said. ‘The importance of Europe for businesses and prosperity cannot be stressed enough.’

The bill was proposed so as to prevent the current Brexit-like situation which has been calculated to cost the Dutch economy at least €4.5bn and 17,700 jobs.

Membership is not a contentious issue for the Dutch at the moment, with only 20% in favour of a Nexit, according to an I&O Research survey.

The employers’ organisations have said the bill is not aimed at preventing an exit completely if such is the will of the people but to provide ‘moments of reflection’ and not have an exit which is the result of political or social ructions.

The bill will be discussed in parliament on Wednesday but is unlikely to get majority support, the paper said.

Over 20 member states have already anchored EU membership in their constitutions.