Social aspects of multinationals in the Netherlands

Abstract

The behaviour of multinational enterprises has once again returned to the centre of public attention in the Netherlands. This paper mainly draws on three ‘waves’ of data from the WageIndicator survey on work and wages, covering 2004-06, 2006-11 and 2015-16, to trace the differences in wages, working conditions and industrial relations in domestic firms compared to multinationals from various countries of origin. The outcomes show the growing penetration of the Anglosaxon corporate strategy model and its emphasis on short-term shareholder value into the Dutch market economy. This penetration has played a significant part in eroding multiple-employer or sectoral bargaining arrangements.