The Netherlands: Flexicurity and industrial relations

The Flexibility and Security Act is the most illustrative example of flexicurity policy in the Netherlands. The involvement of the social partners in the policy making process that led to this act and their role in its implementation is very substantial. The Act has led to more flexibility because of the acceptance of flexwork in the Dutch labour market. The Act also regulated protective rules for flexworkers to enhance income and employment security. In this text also other examples are described that fit in the flexicurity concept, although these are not labelled as ‘flexicurity’ by the industrial relations actors themselves. ‘Flexicurity’ is mostly linked to the debate on flexibilisation of dismissal law. This debate illustrates the best the social partners’ positions.