GroenLinks-PvdA leader Timmermans wants wage increase for eight million employees

A next government must conclude a ‘large wage agreement’ with employers and employees, about a salary increase for eight million workers. In order to meet employers, the government must invest in innovation and research and in solutions to major problems, such as the overburdened power grid and the sustainability of agriculture and industry. Frans Timmermans, leader of opposition party GroenLinks-PvdA this Thursday, the Day of Labor, advocated this during the annual Spiekman reading in Rotterdam.

Timmermans’ plea for a collective wage increase comes for a month and a half before the vote among the members of GroenLinks and PvdA about a merger from both parties. A majority of the supporters are in favor of merging, but critics within the PvdA fear that the ‘red’, left -wing character of their party will become more pale.

Lake

With a preview of the next government, Timmermans also seems to want to outline an alternative to the shaky, right -wing cabinet of PVV, NSC, VVD and BBB. As a merger party, GroenLinks-PvdA hopes to win more room seats (the party is now the second group with 25 seats), and to rule the next period.

The wage increase in Timmermans’ large wage agreement « would apply to more than eight million employees, not for the self -employed. What percentage of wage increase it should be, Timmermans does not say. That must be determined in the agreement, says a spokesperson. In the coming two years, wages should at least rise more than inflation, according to a press release from GroenLinks-PvdA.

Wage moderation

Timmermans describes a large wage agreement as one « Conversely, Wassenaar agreement from 1982 ». To improve the economic situation, the Lubbers-I cabinet (1982-1986) concluded an agreement with employers on wage moderation in exchange for the reduction time reduction. The profitability of companies improved, and in the long term unemployment also fell.

Since the mid -nineties, employees have seen less and less of the corporate profits in their salary. Those relationships between wages and profits has fallen to around 68 percent over the years and have to go back to 80 percent, says Timmermans.

« The entire society benefits from honest salaries, » says Timmermans. « If the middle class can live without worries from a decent salary, that ensures peace and trust. And if wages rise, people have to spend more and that contributes to the economy. Employers benefit from well -trained, motivated employees. »

Future Fund

Employers can expect something back for higher wages, says Timmermans. He refers to his earlier plan for a ‘Future Fund’ of 25 billion euros for the next four years, for investments in a modern track, science, innovation, and the sustainability of industry.

The plan for such an investment fund to boost the economy is not entirely new. In 2014, the government founded the so-called Future Fund, with a starting capital of 200 million euros, for research and innovation for small and medium-sized businesses, among other things.

The plea for a large wage agreement is in line with A vision piece that Timmermans brought out last month: A new chapter for the Netherlands. Timmermans calls on this to rebuild the welfare state.

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