Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Van Hijum (NSC): “The government will not solve the labor market shortage.”

In a robust substantive discussion with moderator Hans Biesheuvel (and then the audience), Van Hijum discussed topics such as the More Security for Flexible Workers Act, the Clarification of the Assessment of Employment Relationships and Legal Presumption (VBAR), employers, the role of the polder and the limits of labor migration.

The balance between permanent and flexible work has not yet been achieved, Van Hijum stated. At the same time, he emphasized that “more migrant workers” are not a structural solution to the demographic decline and increasing aging. According to him, the key lies in increasing labor productivity, reducing administrative burdens and giving employers more room to do business. In order to improve labor migration qualitatively, the ministry is working on a covenant with multiple parties. In the context of labor migration and regulatory pressure, the Act on the Admission of the Provision of Workers (WTTA) was also discussed; in particular, the considerable regulatory pressure was highlighted. A well-known and very relevant concern, Van Hijum emphasized, but the goal – combating abuses among incoming, outgoing and onward loaners – essentially justifies the means.