Employers’ organisation leader Coen van Oostrom hopes the Netherlands can avoid cuts to the social security system and find alternative solutions. Speaking on the television programme WNL Op Zondag, the VNO-NCW chair called for broader discussions about the future of the country’s social safety net.
“I do not want to start by talking about how much we need to cut, because then everyone will dig in and we will not move forward,” Van Oostrom said. “What we need is to take a step back and ask what kind of society we want to be and what we want the social safety net in the Netherlands to look like.”
Earlier, trade unions ended negotiations with the cabinet and announced strike action. The unions oppose proposed cuts to unemployment benefits (WW) and disability benefits (WIA), as well as plans to raise the state pension age.
The cabinet has already withdrawn the proposals in their current form, but the unions continue to insist that there should be no cuts at all.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
