The main union confederations are divided over the pressing issue of increasing the retirement age. The government has proposed to lift this age from 65 to 67 years.
Latest 1 October, social partners can bring in alternatives.
Recently, the CNV confederation changed its earlier position and announced that under certain conditions the increase would be acceptable, whereas the largest confederation, FNV, maintained that there are no good reasons for retiring at 67. A major FNV argument is that basic pension rights in the Netherlands are comparatively very low.
Recent internet polls resulted in large majorities "voting" against an increase.
Articles in De Volkskrant,26 and 31 August
81 procent tegen verhoging AOW-leeftijd naar 67 at www.abvakabofnv.nl