Cabinet action plan against staff shortage, there may be a ‘full-time bonus’

The government must act, acknowledges Minister Karien van Gennip (Social Affairs), just as employers must do everything they can. Today, Van Gennip and fellow ministers sent an extensive letter to the House about the shortage of workers, which is now visible everywhere in everyday life. This applies in public transport, but also at Schiphol.

The government therefore wants to increase the supply of work and reduce the demand for it. Supply and demand must also be brought closer together. To achieve this, a new policy will be introduced. But we are not yet seeing the effects of this, as has already been warned, in the short term. This is because the new policy must last for a longer period of time, says Van Gennip, who wants to focus on sustainable solutions.

For example, the government wants to invest in innovations, better tailor training to the type of employee who is in high demand and ensure that more people can find work. It should also become more attractive for people to continue working after their retirement age. Workers transferring to sectors with large shortages must be helped. Certain quality and training requirements may need to be adjusted. Finally, the government is investigating a full-time bonus. Employees would then receive a bonus if they decide to work more hours.

Ironically, the success of the interventions often depends on whether there are enough people. For example in childcare, so that parents can work more. Enough ICT specialists are needed for innovation and new policy will only work if there are enough people working at the implementing organisations.

In the short term, the government cannot mean too much, the cabinet admits. “Government action only becomes noticeable after a delay,” says Van Gennip. Moreover, the measures must not only provide an answer to the urgent problem facing the Netherlands, but must also be usable at a later date. According to employers’ organizations MKB Nederland and VNO-NCW, ‘more is really needed to accelerate the creation of a breakthrough in solving the staff shortage’. The organizations advocate more ‘unconventional measures by both employers and governments’.

The FNV union is happy with the measures, but does have points for comment. The union wants the government to do more against flexible contracts: ‘The permanent contract must become the norm again.’ The cabinet should also raise the minimum wage to 14 euros per hour, so that work becomes better paid and more attractive.

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