Pay in Netherlands falling behind inflation

Figures produced by the CBS, the Dutch official statistics body, show that collectively agreed rates rose by 1.8% in the Netherlands in the first three months of 2013.

Although this is the highest quarterly increase since the end of 2009, pay is still failing to keep up with prices, with inflation averaging 3.0% in the first three months of the year. Pay has lagged behind inflation for almost three years; the last time pay was rising faster than prices was in the second quarter of 2010.

Dutch unions have traditionally argued for pay moderation, but more recently have pushed for higher increases.