The Netherlands: Industrial relations in central public administration - Recent trends and features

The Dutch Central Administration (CPA) is not completely restricted to management and coordination, but its borders are more fluid. Employer representatives can put forward changes to the legal position of civil servants, changes the unions may or may not agree to. In 2008, an agreement was reached on an annual 3% wage increase for a four-year period, beginning in 2007. At the end of 2010 the agreement expired and no new agreement has been reached. With the crisis not over, civil servants had to accept a zero-line. Since 2007, efforts to downsize the CPA were laid down in several policy papers. At the Ministry of Internal Affairs new ideas have been developed not only on a small, efficient and smart Central Administration, but also on being an attractive employer to young people. Ageing is another issue the administration has to address in the near future.