Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Netherlands (Ratification: 1967)

Articles 1–3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report for the mainland and the special municipalities Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. The Government indicates that the labour market has continued to recover gradually since mid-2014. However, the rate of the recovery remains a concern. Employment is increasing due to economic growth; in 2015, the number of workers in the Netherlands exceeded 10 million persons. At the same time, the supply of labour is increasing, reflecting a trend in terms of the increasing participation rate of women and as a result of policy measures, such as the gradual raising of the minimum retirement age and the so-called “5 billion package”, a package of incentives adopted in January 2016 to make entering the labour market more attractive financially. The Committee further notes that, according to OECD statistics, the total unemployment rate in the Netherlands decreased from 7.6 per cent in January 2014, to 6.3 per cent in September 2016. With respect to the Dutch Caribbean islands, the Government indicates that the labour participation rate is highest in Bonaire (73 per cent), followed by St. Eustatius (70 per cent) and Saba (64 per cent). The unemployment rate is highest in St. Eustatius (8.8 per cent), followed by Bonaire (6.4 percent) and Saba (2.5 per cent). The Committee notes the Government’s indication regarding the implementation of differentiated programmes to promote labour market participation on these islands. The Government indicates that, in cooperation with the social partners, and pursuant to the 2013 Social Agreement, it has been implementing its National Reform Programmes for 2014–16 through a series of legislative amendments. These are aimed at enabling all to participate in the labour market according to their abilities, and place a particular emphasis on the participation of those with lower incomes. In this respect, the Committee notes the adoption of the 2015 Participation Act which, in combination with the implementation of practical measures such as gradual increases to the tax credits available for persons in employment, provide financial incentives for persons with lower or middle incomes to work. The Committee also notes the call issued by the tripartite Social Economic Council under the EU 2020 strategy to intensify efforts to combat labour discrimination – especially discrimination against non-Western foreigners, people with occupational limitations, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community,
women and the elderly – through tripartite actions. These actions include implementing diversity policies in businesses, enabling work councils to play a greater role in promoting diversity and improving the labour inspectorate’s supervision and enforcement capabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information, including statistical information, disaggregated by sex and age, on active employment measures adopted and implemented with the participation of the social partners, and their impact in promoting full, productive and sustainable employment opportunities in both the European part of the Netherlands and the special municipalities, as contemplated under the Convention.

Older workers. The Government indicates that in addition to the gradual adjustments that have been made to increase the retirement age, taking into account longer life expectancies, it has embarked upon a general revision of the pension system. The revisions are intended to equip the pension system to enable it to meet future challenges while maintaining trust and transparency. To this end, elements of the current system are to be retained and combined with flexibility mechanisms that take of spending needs in different phases of life. The Committee also notes the measures adopted, including financial incentives, to encourage employers to hire or retain older workers, and to both encourage and enable older employees to remain in employment longer. These measures include Government-supported “no-risk insurance policies”, probationary placements and the 50-plus Works Action Plan aimed at empowering older jobseekers to actively approach employers. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the situation, level and trends of employment for older workers, including information on the impact of the measures adopted to stimulate the labour market and increase opportunities for decent work for older women and men workers.

Youth and ethnic minorities. According to the Government’s report, the introduction of the “Approach to Youth Unemployment” in 2013 led to a reduction of youth unemployment in the second half of that year. The Government has increased its commitment to this programme in 2015–16 since, despite the improving economy, a large proportion of young persons in the Netherlands remain unnecessarily unemployed. The Government indicates that this may be due to their choice of study, poorly developed employment skills, ineffective job search skills and lack of basic qualifications. Placing a special focus on youth with a migration background, the Government has teamed up with educational institutions to develop career skills for youth with municipalities to improve their capacity to match skills with jobs, and with employers through promoting work agreements aimed at increasing job opportunities that inspire and prepare young persons. These efforts have led to increased performance by youth with a migration background. Accordingly, the Committee notes that between 2003 and 2013, the number of young migrants with higher qualifications had doubled. At present, the education level of young migrants approaches that of youth without such a background. The Government recognizes, however, that the increased educational achievement among youth does not necessarily mean success in the labour market, and additional support is necessary to ensure their successful transition from education to work. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of labour market measures implemented to meet the employment needs of young women and men, particularly those with a migration background. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the employment situation of ethnic minorities, including statistical information disaggregated by age and sex, and on measures taken or envisaged to improve their position in the labour market.