Innovative Labour Market Policy Proposals for Discussion
Innovative Labour Market Policy Proposals for Discussion
The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs has put forward three proposals for new laws for discussion. Depending on the outcome of the discussion, the government may see fit to initiate appropriate measures.
8.3.2.1. Career interruption
In accordance with social needs of both men and women the Minister intends to offer employees the opportunity to
combine a career with phases of child-care and child-raising, caring for the sick and other social activities. The
scope for a legal provision to this effect is to be investigated. The study is to determine whether it is possible to
allow employees to take (partial) leave for a relatively long period in order to undergo further training or to pursue
social activities. In addition to the responsibility of the social partners to analyse critically the existing opportunities
for leave and to extend their scope, the government intends to make a contribution by removing existing legal
obstacles. It also intends to investigate whether such leave periods can be stimulated through financial incentives,
as in Belgium and Denmark. In addition the government is considering ways in which employees could finance
their leave period through a savings model. This could occur by saving part of income, working time reduction or
holidays. Parents working less than 20 hours per week are in future also to receive entitlement to parental leave.
The options relating to parental leave are to be made more flexible.
For all forms of leave the Minister intends to create statutory opportunities so as to enable invalidity and widow's
pensions to be paid on the basis of the last wage.
8.3.2.2. New balance between flexibility and social security
Within the framework of the increasing flexibility of employment relations attempts are to be made to achieve a
good balance between flexibility and social security. This requires some laws to be relaxed and others tightened. On
the one hand, more flexible employment contracts for permanent employees must be introduced, on the other, the
legal status of those on flexible contracts is to be improved. Among other proposals, the Minister suggests that in
the case of fixed-term contracts wages should continue to be paid for hours not worked, the probation period should
be extended from 2 to 6 months, notice periods should be varied (between 1 and 4 months), the possibility of
earning a pension entitlement should be introduced and the need for administrative approval of agency work be
abolished.
8.3.2.3. Subsidised employment to be streamlined
The regulations on publicly subsidised employment are to be made clearer. The job pools, the youth work
guarantee law and the law on the promotion of work experience places are to be abolished and replaced by a
new law for jobseekers. Local authorities are to be made responsible for subsidising employment opportunities.
The new law is not to affect job creation measures, however. This provision is to be interpreted more strictly
than has previously been the case. Support is to be focused on jobs for persons with physical, mental or
psychological problems who would not be able to find work with a normal employer.
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