Friday 01 July 2022

Unemployment up marginally, but more young men are working

Unemployment up marginally, but more young men are working

Dutch unemployment rose slightly in May, even though more young men entered the workforce, according to new figures from national statistics office CBS. The number of unemployed in May stood at 323,000 (3.3%) of the working population), a slight rise over April’s 3.2%. This was due mostly to an increase in the number of people who are retired or unable to work. Looking at the bigger picture, the trend over the past three months is one of continued decline in... More >

Absenteeism rate reaches a new record

Flu thermometer.

Absenteeism rate reaches a new record

The number of people off work sick in the first three months of this year reached a record 6.3% of the working population, national statistics office CBS said on Friday. The absenteeism rate in the first quarter of 2021, when coronavirus was also raging, was 4.8%. The healthcare sector was the most seriously affected with an absenteeism rate of 8.9% – which means 89 of every 1,000 working days were not actually worked because of illness. The figure was lowest... More >

Pay rises averaged 3.8% last month

Pay rises averaged 3.8% last month

Pay deals agreed in May included an average wage increase of 3.8%, according to new figures from AWVN, an organisation which supports employers in salary negotiations. In April the average rise was 3.4%, and in March the figure was also above 3%, the Financieele Dagblad quoted the AWVN as saying. Economists say as a whole, wages will go up by 3% this year but the increase could be as high as 4% or even more in 2023, as competition for... More >

NS uses simulator in recruitment drive

Image of NS double decker Dutch train sitting in station

NS uses simulator in recruitment drive

Potential train drivers will be able to test out their skills in a traveling train simulator over the next few weeks as Dutch railway company NS tries to encourage more recruits to sign up. The simulator will let people interested in the job get a feel for really driving a train and all the things they will have to deal with on a daily basis, the NS says. ‘It is a realistic version of a train driver’s cabin in the... More >

Welfare claims continue to fall: CBS

Welfare claims continue to fall: CBS

The number of people claiming welfare benefits in the Netherlands reached the lowest level since September 2013 in the first quarter of 2022, national statistics agency CBS said on Tuesday. By the end of March, 407,000 people up to retirement age were claiming welfare (bijstand), a drop of 23,000 on a year ago. The reduction in claims was most notable among the under-27s, the CBS said. Fewer than 35,000 people under the age of 27 are now claiming the benefit.... More >

Public sector workers should work more

Public sector workers should work more

Teachers, care workers and defense staff must be motivated to work longer hours in the short term to avoid staff shortages in future, the social economic council SER has said. The government advisory body’s report comes just weeks ahead of a government initiative to tackle staff shortages in the public sector. Action needs to be taken now if the current level of public services is to be maintained, SER said. The lack of teachers, for example, will lead to a... More >

133 vacancies for every 100 unemployed

133 vacancies for every 100 unemployed

There are now 133 jobs on offer for every 100 people looking for work, national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday. The figure, a new record, is due to both an increase in the number of vacancies, which rose by 59,000 in the first quarter of the year, and a further decline in the jobless total, which fell by 32,000, the CBS said. As in previous quarters, most vacancies are in trade, including retail, business services and healthcare. The three... More >

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