zero-hour contracts gone, self-employed persons are required to be insured

ANP The hospitality industry, among others, works with zero-hour contracts

NOS News•today, 12:15•Edited today, 12:24

The rules regarding temporary contracts in the labor market are going to change considerably. From now on, zero-hour contracts will be banned, the rules for temporary contracts and temporary workers will become stricter, and self-employed people without employees will be required to be insured against incapacity for work.

Minister Van Gennip of Social Affairs and Employment writes to the House of Representatives that agreements have been made with trade unions and employers.

Van Gennip also wants to put an end to so-called revolving door constructions. Now employees have to leave for six months after three temporary contracts and then they can come back. That term will now be five years. The idea is that employers are more likely to offer people a permanent contract due to the changes.

Security

There will be compulsory disability insurance for self-employed people without employees, so that they have a safety net if they become disabled.

Rules regarding reporting sick will change for entrepreneurs, so that they get clarity sooner about the possibilities of replacing an employee. There will also be a scheme whereby staff can be retained in the event of a crisis that falls outside the entrepreneurial risk. Employees can then work elsewhere for a maximum of six months or work less while retaining unemployment benefits.

According to Minister Van Gennip, the package will lead to people having more certainty about their income and schedule and that the self-employed will be better protected in the event of setbacks. The minister appreciates that important agreements have been made with employers and employees. “Too many employees with a flexible contract and the self-employed now lack security.”

The changes are planned to be implemented over the next three to four years.

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