FNV chief Ton Heerts is standing down as leader of the biggest Dutch union federation in May, seven months ahead of the end of his contract.

‘My job is done,’ Heerts said in a statement. ‘I am completely convinced the FNV is ready for the future.’

Heerts took over from Agnes Jongerius, now a Labour party MEP, in July 2012.

Heerts, the first directly elected FNV leader, was involved in drawing up a new pact on labour market reforms with employers and ministers in 2013.

He leaves as talks get underway on introducing compulsory social insurances for freelance workers. He is strongly opposed to including freelancers in agreements on sick pay, arguing that it would undermine the welfare state.