According to the latest figures by Statistics Netherlands:
› Employment increased by 34 thousand jobs in first quarter from the same period in 2010
› Employment marginally down relative to fourth quarter 2010
› Actual wage increase considerably higher than CAO wage increase

In the first quarter of 2011, the number of jobs of employees grew by 34 thousand relative to the first quarter of 2010, but Statistics Netherlands reports that employment adjusted for seasonal variation declined by 7 thousand compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

The recent job growth is mainly found in the sectors health care and business services, but job growth in the care sector (+ 34 thousand) is lower than in prior quarters. In the sector business services, temp agencies contributed most to employment with 21 thousand extra jobs in the Netherlands.

Adjusted for seasonal variation, the number of jobs fell by 7 thousand (0,1 percent) compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. After three quarters of employment growth, this is the first quarter-on-quarter contraction. Employment dropped in construction, public administration and in culture, recreation and other services. Sustained job growth was recorded in the care sector, though the growth rate slowed down relative to the previous quarters.

Wages per working year (including special bonuses) were 2,4 percent higher in the first quarter of this year than in the first quarter of 2010. The wage increase is considerably higher than the collectively negotiated (CAO) wage increase of 1,1 percent. Special bonuses granted on an irregular basis had an upward effect on actual wages.

The lowest wage increase by 0,7 percent was in the public sector and in the sector care. The highest wage increase (4 percent) was negotiated in manufacturing industry and business services.

Wage costs per working year, including employer contributions, rose by 2,5 percent, i.e. a bit faster than wages per working year. Employer contributions paid into unemployment and health care insurance schemes went up and contributions paid into disability insurance schemes went down.