With five weeks to go before the general election, the Netherlands’ biggest employers organisations VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland have outlined a new strategy with the aim of ‘contributing to broader prosperity across the country’.

The new approach is based on what the lobby groups describe as an extensive dialogue with members and focuses on achieving a society with equal opportunities, work for all and a sustainable living environment.

The organisations have published a 29 page document outlining their new position, which also includes increased emphasis on combating climate change alongside more traditional standpoints, such as cutting red tape.

‘Entrepreneurs have a responsibility to be at the forefront of efforts to halt global warming and the depletion of the earth’s resources and for holding things together,’ the organisations say in a joint statement.

‘They operate at the heart of society, are an integral part of that society and feel a shared sense of responsibility for it, however large or small their business is.’

The new approach includes a focus on developing a circular economy, strengthening earnings capacity, preserving affordable healthcare and boosting educational standards which, the organisations say, have been deteriorating since 2009.

By 2030, everyone in the Netherlands should have ‘work security’ and people should enjoy an average of 20% more material prosperity than pre-coronavirus.

Big business

In particular, the VNP-NCW has been criticised in the past as the voice of big business, particularly in its support of multinationals. But businesses have a new role, new president Ingrid Thijssen told the Financieele Dagblad in an interview.

The new strategy, Thijssen told the FD, includes potentially increasing the minimum wage, stimulating profit sharing schemes for staff and making it easier for companies to take on permanent staff, as opposed to relying on flexible contracts.

Read the strategy document (in English)