Wednesday 19 February 2020

Dutch commuters are travelling longer distances for work

Dutch commuters are travelling longer distances for work

Dutch people are taking more time to get to work and travelling longer distances than they used to, according to new figures from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. In 1995 commuters travelled an average of just under 15 kilometres to get to work, but this had gone up to 19 kilometres by 2016, the PBL said on Wednesday. And 25 years ago, just over 25% of people would travel to another town or region for work, but this has now... More >

Good, secure work for all is key: WRR

Good, secure work for all is key: WRR

The government needs to invest in ensuring everyone claiming social security has a worthwhile basic job rather than benefits, the Scientific Council for Government Policy said on Wednesday in a new report on employment in the Netherlands. More than one million people in the Netherlands are currently without work and by providing with them with something valuable to do, they are still able to contribute to society, according to the WRR, a key government advisory body. ‘Good work is essential... More >

Care sector unable to hold on to staff

Care sector unable to hold on to staff

Government efforts to combat the staffing crisis in the care sector are inadequate because of a lack of career perspectives and insufficient work challenges, an independent commission has found. The care sector remains a ‘colander’ leaking staff, the commission warned. Almost half the people signing up for a job in care leave within two years. A lack of prospects and unchallenging work are the most cited causes, with low salaries only coming in at seventh place. Last year 110,000 people... More >

Wages rise 2.5%, inflation goes up 2.6%

Wages rise 2.5%, inflation goes up 2.6%

Workers in the Netherlands whose pay is negotiated collectively saw their wages rise an average of 2.5% last year, the biggest increase in 10 years, national statistics agency CBS says. However, the increase is marginally below inflation, which rose 2.6% in 2019 as a whole. It is the first time in five years that inflation has outstripped collective (CAO) wage rises, the CBS said. The biggest rise – 3.1% – went to people working in the hospitality industry, where there... More >

Union members back hospital pay deal

Union members back hospital pay deal

Members of the FNV’s hospital unions have voted in favour of the pay deal for hospital staff agreed two weeks ago. The deal covers 200,000 hospital workers, excluding teaching hospitals, and was approved by 88% of FNV members. It gives hospital workers an 8% pay rise over 27 months and higher compensation for irregular hours. Trainees and interns will also get substantial pay rises. In addition, hospital workers will get a €1,200 bonus in January. In November, hospital workers staged... More >

Healthcare interns are worked too hard

Healthcare interns are worked too hard

The healthcare sector may lose hundreds of much-needed prospective workers because of the way interns are being exploited, union FNV has said. The union set up an online complaints register in November after radio programme Reporter Radio looked at the problems facing interns working for health care organisations. Interns’ biggest complaint was being used to replace regular members of staff, followed by a lack of coaching and unsafe working conditions. The latter included having to carry out complex procedures like... More >

Finance freelancers to get equal rights

Finance freelancers to get equal rights

Several companies operating in the financial sector are planning to improve the position of freelancers and people on flexible contracts, the Financieele Dagblad reported on Tuesday. Bank ING and insurance groups Achmea, Nationale Nederland, ASR and VGZ are poised to sign a code of conduct with the unions in which they agree to treat flexible workers in a similar way to regular staff, the paper said. In total the deal will cover some 10,000 self employed and workers on flexible... More >

Latest news

More Latest news >

Features

 More features >
'The Dutch take it as a compliment if someone learns their language'
A comprehensive guide to Dutch words in English: Cookies, Coleslaw, and Stoops
The erotic Dutch surrealist you should have heard of
Two happy looking chihuahuas
DutchNews podcast – The Stormy Chihuahuas Edition – Week 7
As the population grows, we need more labour migrants, not fewer
I Pastafari: Eindhoven debut for film about Europe's Pastafarians
Daily newsletter
SIGN UP