Unions have negotiated a new pay deal in line with inflation for care workers, giving those on a permanent contract first choice of shifts.

Some 450,000 care workers, including people who work in care homes and community care, will get a 5% rise from October and another 5% next year. Travel allowances will also be upped from 10 to 17 cents per kilometre.

Workers on a fixed contract will also be first in line to determine their own working schedules, unions and employers decided.

“That will put an end to cherry-picking by freelance workers, which left the most demanding night shifts to regular workers. This will give them a better work-life balance,” FNV official Bert de Haas told broadcaster NOS.