| Abstract |
In its June 2003 coalition agreement, the Netherlands' new government announced major spending cuts affecting government departments, which will result in public sector job losses and wage restraint. Trade unions representing civil servants are fiercely opposed to the plans and question how the proposed job cuts can be consistent with the government's promises on improved public safety, care and education. The unions also claim that the planned wage restraint will further damage the public sector's ability to recruit and retain suitable qualified staff.
|