Monday, November 08, 2004
New deal on Dutch social reform
RNW | "The recent wave of social unrest in the Netherlands is over - at least for the time being - after the cabinet reached a deal with trade unions and employers' organisations on reforms of the social security sector. Under the agreement, early retirement remains possible before the age of 65, and government plans to reform the national work disability scheme will be less restrictive than earlier envisaged. At first glance, the unions appear to be the winners of the crisis talks that produced the deal at the weekend. But on closer inspection, it's evident that all parties have had to make concessions."
