Minimum income protection in the Netherlands

This article offers an overview of the Dutch legal system of minimum income protection through collective bargaining, social security, and statutory minimum wages. In addition to collective agreements, the Dutch statutory minimum wage offers income protection to a small number of workers. Its effectiveness is difficult to asses, in particular with regard to migrant workers. The Minimum Wage Act plays a predominant role in Dutch income policies, in particular by determining the minimum level of social security benefits. An assessment of the Dutch minimum wage legislation in the light of EU law indicates no major shortcomings. Perhaps some conflicts with European norms may arise in relation to age-limits, the definition of a worker, and (proposed) legislation concerning several liability of an employer who hires a temporary agency worker.