Wage rises agreed in new pay deals sealed in July averaged 3.4%, slightly down on May and June but still at record levels, according to preliminary figures from employers’ advisory group AWVN and quoted by Nu.nl.

The overall trend is still upwards and will continue in that direction for some time, unless the global economy collapses, the AWVN said.

Some 800 pay and conditions agreements are in place in the Netherlands, and about 500 are up for renewal this year.

Wages have risen by an average of 3.2% over 2022 so far. The biggest rise, at 3.5%, is for teachers. But in industry, the civil service, retail trade and construction the average rise has also been above 3.2%.