Netherlands - Unions walk out of talks with Government on social security cuts - May 31, 2026

The two biggest trade union confederations, FNV and CNV, said they will press ahead with industrial action against Government cuts, despite ministers’ decision to scrap controversial changes to the state pension age. The cabinet said earlier that it would not press ahead with plans to increase the statutory retirement age more quickly, and that it was willing to talk to the unions about alternatives to cuts to unemployment and disability benefits. However, ministers said they wanted the unions to come with their own ideas on how to keep the Government’s finances healthy. The unions said after talks at the prime minister’s official residence that they would not talk to the cabinet as long as ministers refuse to halt the planned changes to social security benefits as well.

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