The Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations in the cross-industry social dialogue

The economic crisis has not had any noticeable effect on the peak-level associational ‘landscape’: the landscape has remained densely organised. The six peak social partner associations are still in place and are respected parties in consultation. These national organisations have an advisory role in collective labour framework agreements and offer indications for wage development - via the bipartite Labour Foundation, the STAR. Consultation by the authorities is further guaranteed through the tripartite Social Economic Council, the SER.

The relationship with the government has in recent years become more difficult. Collective bargaining negotiations have also become tenser. That said, around 80% of all employees are covered by a collective agreement. These agreements are concluded by the unions and employer associations affiliated to the six national peak organisations. While around 90% of employers are organised by one of the three national employer organisations, employee federations organise at present around 20% of employees.