Agency temps would get three-year limit at one client
A draft bill from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment would cap temping at three years per client. The public can respond until 24 November.
A temp would be allowed to work for the same client (inlener) for a maximum of three years, or 36 months. This is set out in a draft bill that went into internet consultation on 29 October, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment says.
Why it matters
- Agency workers could not stay with the same client for more than 36 months.
- A client that wants to keep the worker after that period would have to offer them a direct contract.
- For agency workers on permanent contracts, the work must also be temporary. This differs from case to case, and a judge can assess it.
The ministry says the European court has ruled that agency work must be temporary under the EU Temporary Agency Work Directive (Uitzendrichtlijn). The Netherlands is therefore writing the temporary nature of hiring-in into law. By defining it more closely, the ministry says, it will stop agency workers working for the same client indefinitely, which protects them better.
People can respond to the bill on internetconsultatie.nl until 24 November. The ministry will review the responses, and they may lead to changes to the original proposal.
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internetconsultatie
An internet consultation is a period during which anyone can respond online to a draft law before it is formally submitted to parliament. The ministry responsible reviews the responses and can amend the proposal based on them. It gives residents, organisations and experts a chance to comment on proposed legislation at an early stage.