In the coming year, the FNV trade union wants to aim for a 7 percent wage increase, a minimum wage of 16 euros and a four-day workweek of 32 hours in collective labor agreements. The union came out with this wage demand and negotiating position on Monday.
“Wages have been lagging behind for years because there has been no improvement in purchasing power,” explains FNV vice-chairman Zakaria Boufangacha. “While the rich are getting richer, there are large groups of people who can barely make ends meet and have poor quality work. The growth in prosperity can and must be distributed much more fairly.”
This year, the union is still aiming for wage increases of up to 14 percent. The fact that the new wage demand is lower is due to the lower inflation, although the union continues to advocate for automatic compensation of the price increases “so that people are assured of their wages being maintained in the future”.
Following the example of the CNV union, FNV now also wants to focus on a shorter working week. At a time when employees are being asked to work longer and harder, FNV calls this a necessary step.
Combat tightness
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“We want to counter the tightness on the labor market. Research shows that a four-day workweek actually increases the labor supply. It improves productivity and reduces absenteeism, making full-time work more attractive,” says Boufangacha.
CNV already came up with its demands for the upcoming collective labor agreement season on Friday. The union wants a 3.5 to 6 percent wage increase and spoke of an ideal image of a 30-hour work week. For now, CNV is aiming for a 2-hour reduction in working hours per week to create a better balance between work and private life.
Another aspect of the FNV’s demands is the increase of the minimum wage to 16 euros per hour. “The government is dropping the ball here,” says Boufangacha. The union has wanted the minimum wage to be raised considerably for some time, but this has not happened. The minimum wage for people aged 21 or older is currently 13.68 euros per hour.
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By: Editorial Staff
– What are the main demands of the FNV trade union for the 2023 collective labor agreements?
FNV Trade Union Demands 7% Wage Increase, €16 Minimum Wage, and 4-Day Workweek in 2023 Collective Labor Agreements
The Dutch trade union, FNV, has announced its ambitious negotiating position for the upcoming collective labor agreement season, seeking a 7% wage increase, a minimum wage of €16, and a four-day workweek of 32 hours. This bold proposal aims to address the long-standing issue of stagnant wages, poor working conditions, and the widening wealth gap in the Netherlands.
Addressing the Issue of Lagging Wages
FNV Vice-Chairman, Zakaria Boufangacha, emphasized that wages have been lagging behind for years, leading to a decline in purchasing power. “While the rich are getting richer, there are large groups of people who can barely make ends meet and have poor quality work,” he said. “The growth in prosperity can and must be distributed much more fairly.” The union believes that it is essential to ensure that workers receive a fair share of the country’s economic growth.
Lower Wage Demand Due to Lower Inflation
Compared to the previous year’s demand of 14% wage increase, the new proposal is slightly lower due to the current lower inflation rates. However, FNV still advocates for automatic compensation of price increases to ensure that workers’ wages are protected in the future.
Embracing a Shorter Workweek
Inspired by the CNV union’s proposal, FNV is now pushing for a shorter workweek, aiming to reduce the standard workweek from 36 to 32 hours over four days. Boufangacha stressed that this move is necessary to combat the tightness on the labor market. “Research shows that a four-day workweek actually increases the labor supply. It improves productivity and reduces absenteeism, making full-time work more attractive,” he explained.
Countering Tightness on the Labor Market
By introducing a shorter workweek, FNV aims to counter the current labor market tightness, which has been exacerbated by employees being asked to work longer and harder. A four-day workweek can lead to increased labor supply, improved productivity, and reduced absenteeism, ultimately making full-time work more appealing.
Comparison to CNV Union Demands
FNV’s proposal is similar to that of the CNV union, which also called for a shorter workweek. CNV demands a 3.5 to 6% wage increase and a 30-hour workweek, with a more immediate goal of reducing working hours by 2 hours per week.
Conclusion
The FNV trade union’s bold proposal for the 2023 collective labor agreement season reflects the growing need for fair wages, better working conditions, and a more balanced work-life ratio. As the Netherlands continues to grapple with issues of income inequality and labor market tightness, this proposal offers a promising solution that prioritizes the well-being of workers.
Keywords:
FNV trade union
Wage increase
Minimum wage
Four-day workweek
Collective labor agreements
CNV union
Labor market tightness
Purchasing power
Wealth gap
Income inequality
* Work-life balance
– What are the main demands of the FNV trade union for the 2023 collective labor agreements?
FNV Trade Union Demands 7% Wage Increase, 4-Day Workweek, and €16 Minimum Wage for 2023 Collective Labor Agreements
In a bold move, the FNV trade union has announced its negotiating position for the 2023 collective labor agreements, demanding a 7% wage increase, a minimum wage of €16 per hour, and a four-day workweek of 32 hours. The union’s vice-chairman, Zakaria Boufangacha, explained that the demands are necessary to combat the growing gap between the rich and the poor in the Netherlands.
Combat Tightness in the Labor Market
The FNV’s demands come as a response to the growing tightness in the labor market, where employees are being asked to work longer and harder. By advocating for a shorter working week, the union aims to increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and make full-time work more attractive. Research has shown that a four-day workweek can actually increase the labor supply, making it an attractive solution for both employees and employers.
Main Demands of the FNV Trade Union
The FNV’s main demands for the 2023 collective labor agreements are:
- 7% Wage Increase: The union is demanding a 7% wage increase to make up for the loss of purchasing power over the years. With inflation rates decreasing, the union believes that employees deserve a fair share of the economic growth.
- Minimum Wage of €16 per Hour: The FNV has been advocating for a higher minimum wage for some time, and is now demanding a minimum wage of €16 per hour. This would significantly improve the living standards of low-wage earners and help to reduce poverty.
- Four-Day Workweek of 32 Hours: The union is pushing for a four-day workweek of 32 hours to combat the tightness in the labor market and improve work-life balance.
CNV Union Demands
The CNV union, another prominent trade union in the Netherlands, has also announced its demands for the 2023 collective labor agreements. The CNV is advocating for a 3.5 to 6% wage increase and a 2-hour reduction in working hours per week. While the CNV’s demands are less ambitious than those of the FNV, they share a common goal of improving the living standards of employees and promoting a better work-life balance.
Government’s Role in Minimum Wage
The FNV has criticized the government for not doing enough to increase the minimum wage. With the current minimum wage at €13.68 per hour, the union believes that the government is not taking sufficient steps to address poverty and inequality. By demanding a minimum wage of €16 per hour, the FNV is putting pressure on the government to take action.
Conclusion
The FNV’s demands for the 2023 collective labor agreements are a bold response to the growing gap between the rich and the poor in the Netherlands. By advocating for a higher wage increase, a shorter working week, and a higher minimum wage, the union is pushing for a more equitable society where employees are valued and respected. As the collective labor agreement season gets underway, it will be interesting to see how employers and the government respond to the FNV’s demands.
Key Takeaways
The FNV trade union is demanding a 7% wage increase, a minimum wage of €16 per hour, and a four-day workweek of 32 hours in the 2023 collective labor agreements.
The union’s demands are aimed at combating the growing gap between the rich and the poor in the Netherlands.
The FNV believes that a shorter working week can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and make full-time work more attractive.
The CNV union has also announced its demands for the 2023 collective labor agreements, advocating for a 3.5 to 6% wage increase and a 2-hour reduction in working hours per week.
* The government has been criticized for not doing enough to increase the minimum wage.
