A large majority of the Netherlands’ employers feel wages should now be rising, according to a survey of around 1,000 decision makers carried out for the Financieele Dagblad.

Just over seven in 10 say the new cabinet must work to ensure wages go up, with 74% backing a pay increase for teachers, the paper said.

Both outgoing finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem and central bank president Klaas Knot have called for pay increases, saying that an increase in spending power will boost economic growth.

The FNV trade union federation said last month it would be looking for wage rises averaging 3.5% in the next pay round.

In addition, the employers polled by the FD want the new government to cut taxes and support the proposed switch to two tax bands in the income tax system. Six in 10 also think moves to make the labour market more flexible have gone too far.

Some 60% back the party combination in the new coalition (VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie) – a far higher percentage than the 24% support among the population at large.

Just under half expect the new cabinet will complete its four year term in office, double the proportion among the general population.