More flexibility for Dutch workers

Two deals signed at the end of February in the Netherlands give employees greater flexibility in how they organise their working time.

The agreement covering 16,000 contract catering workers allows employees to take up to nine of their rostered free days as pay, while they can also "buy" an additional three free days. For those over 55 the number of extra free days that can be bought goes up to nine and they get them at a lower price. Employees are also entitled to one day off a year to cope with emergencies (on full-pay) and five days off to cope with sick dependents (on 70% of pay). The two-year agreement provides for a 4% increase in May this year and another 4% increase from 1 January 2002.

The agreement for the 13,000 workers in the Dutch timber industry allows employees and management to agree flexible starting times beginning at 7.00 to 9.00 in the morning and ending at between 3.00 and 5.00 in the afternoon. Overtime is made entirely voluntary. Those aged over 55 can also choose to work a four-day week by putting together holidays and rostered-free days as well by "buying" extra free days at a reduced rate. Pay in the industry goes up by 5.1% over the course of the year - 2.1% in April, 1.5% in July and a further 1.5% in December.

Inflation in the Netherlands is currently running at 4.2% (January).