Employers raise salaries to attract workers amid Dutch labour crisis

As the Netherlands faces a growing labour crisis, staff shortages across various sectors, and a rising inflation rate, a recent investigation conducted by NU has found that Dutch companies are more likely to raise salaries in order to attract new workers. 

The Netherlands faces growing labour crisis after COVID-19 

According to figures published by Randstad Groep Nederland earlier this week, the Dutch labour crisis has reached new highs, with a record number of over 400.000 jobs currently available across a number of key sectors. “We see scarcity in all sectors and that problem has not been solved for the time being,” CEO Dominique Hermans explains.

Industries facing the most severe staff shortages are technology and IT, construction, production, transport, and logistics, with forecasts predicting the Netherlands is also facing a growing healthcare crisis. “By 2030 we will have a shortage of no less than 100,000 people in healthcare,” says market analyst Bart van Krimpen.

Adding fuel to the fire, a recent study conducted by management platform Quinyx found that 40 percent of workers in the hospitality, retail, healthcare and logistics sectors with flexible contracts are considering quitting their jobs. “The catering, healthcare and retail sectors have been hit hard by coronavirus,” says research coordinator Jaline Haitsma. “We saw this mass exodus coming.” 19 percent of survey respondents gave the lack of a pay raise as a reason for their resignation. 

Dutch companies look to attract workers and tackle staff shortages

As companies in the Netherlands struggle to hold on to workers and fill job vacancies, a recent investigation conducted by the Dutch news site NU found that employers are increasingly willing to raise employees’ salaries, regardless of the terms outlined in their respective collective agreements. 

“They have their backs against the wall and there is so much need to retain employees that companies unilaterally raise wages,” explains Ton Wilthagen, professor of the labour market in Tilburg. “In this way, employers also try to remain attractive. I expect more companies will do this [in the future].”