It is abundantly clear which parties may crown themselves winners and which parties "modesty befits" after the last House of Representatives elections. The elections have caused a solid shift in the political landscape. If we take a look at PVV, VVD and NSC, what do these parties actually think about the labor market? ZiPconomy found out.
NSC is fairly outspoken and believes that the Borstlap Commission report should guide future labor market reforms. For example, NSC wants the dismissal law to be reformed and the sick pay continuation for SMEs to be shortened to one year. The VVD will certainly go along with this, but the PVV, like SP and GroenLinks/PvdA, is precisely not in favor of this. Also, NSC wants temporary work to be limited to 26 weeks, while VVD and PVV voted against this limit. Who will pour water on the wine?
Future of the zzp file
If we look at the plans regarding the zzp dossier, we immediately see a clear overlap: all three parties are not fans of the draft bill "Clarifying Assessment of Labor Relations and Legal Presumption. So what do they want?
PVV is not really outspoken on the zzp dossier with their statement "zzp'ers should not have unnecessary extra rules or obligations. VVD has the view that the assessment of the individual self-employed person should be central, for example by setting entrepreneurial criteria by law. NSC does not think that the person, but the job should be assessed. If it takes too long, for many hours in the week or is low paid, then that assignment should not be done by a self-employed person.
Migration policy as a point of discussion
Labor migration is also a hot topic in political The Hague. The three parties seem to agree that there should be "a brake on migration. But how and for which target groups exactly, there are still some differences.
PVV wants to introduce work permits for migrant workers within the EU, something that now only applies to migrant workers from outside the EU, and restrict study migration. NSC also wants a sharp restriction on the number of labor and knowledge migrants, but first wants to "investigate" how to get a better grip on this. The NSC wants to reduce the influx of expats, including by reducing their tax benefits.
VVD is firm in tone when it comes to asylum, but less outspoken when it comes to labor migration from within the EU, since labor migrants in a tight labor market are crucial to keeping a number of economic sectors running. She does believe that the requirements for non-EU migrant workers should be tightened and is in favor of encouraging and accelerating return.
How to move forward?
It is somewhat hypothetical and looking into a crystal ball, but should VVD and NSC eventually join Geert Wilders at the formation table, the differences regarding the labor market seem bridgeable. Topics such as "the democratic rule of law" and "military aid to Ukraine" will be higher on the agenda. In a country of minorities, forging coalitions and compromise, sooner or later you really will have to step over your own shadow.
Want to know more about the election results and impact on the labor market? Find the relevant ZiPtalk episode of ZiPconomy here.