The maximum available wage margin for the next two years is 0%, according to calculations by the Central Economic Council (CEC). That means wages are not allowed to rise on top of the index. For the past two years the margin was 0% as well. However, companies that performed well could then grant a purchasing power premium. Among other things, CEC’ calculation takes into account expected inflation and how much wages are expected to rise in neighbouring countries. CEC also checks that wages have not been derailed in recent years compared to major trading partners. The labour cost handicap (the difference in hourly wage costs in the country versus neighbouring countries) is estimated at 1% by the CEC for 2024. That means that between 1996 and 2024 wages rose 1% faster than those of neighbouring countries.
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For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu.
You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.