The three big Dutch union groups FNV, CNV and MHP have thrown their weight behind the new budget deal, thrashed out between ministers and three opposition parties last week.

The deal involves bringing forward some of the job market reforms which the unions, employers and ministers agreed on earlier this year, such as reforming redundancy law and cutting unemployment benefit.

FNV chairman Ton Heerts said the union would support the new deal, despite the way the cabinet had behaved by one-sidedly making changes.

However he called for a meeting with ministers to ensure there are no more changes. ‘Otherwise what is the value of an agreement,’ Heerts is quoted as saying by Nos television.