Dutch local government reaches deal

Unions and employers in local government in the Netherlands have reached agreement on a two-year pay settlement.

The deal, which covers around 185,000 employees, runs from 1 January 2021 to 1 January 2023, and provides for a 1.5% increase from 1 December 2021 and a further 2.4% increase on 1 April 2022. In addition, in 2021, all employees will receive a lump sum payment of €1,200, including a coronavirus bonus of €300. The pay increases are below inflation, which was 3.4% in October 2021.

The agreement sets a new minimum rate in local government of €14 an hour, which means a higher percentage increase for the lowest paid.

All employees who work from home will receive a €2 a day payment and, by 2023, the unions and the employers are committed to developing new working from home arrangements.

€1=84p on 25 November 2021