Facing increasing pressure from parliament, the cabinet has announced plans to allocate 675 million euros annually in order to increase the salaries of healthcare workers in the Netherlands.
Over the course of the last 18 months, the Dutch government has faced several demands to thank those in the Dutch healthcare system for their work and commitment throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic. So far, the cabinet has avoided increasing salaries and instead announced two separate so-called coronavirus bonuses for specific healthcare workers.
Now, as the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) once again criticised the government for not raising salaries as part of the plans announced on Prinsjesdag, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that 675 million euros will be earmarked for increasing salaries in the healthcare sector.
The changes mean those with jobs in the healthcare sector earning middle incomes - approximately 60 percent of healthcare workers - will see their salaries increase by 1,5 percent.
The increase is being funded by a rise in health premiums, which means everyone with health insurance in the Netherlands will pay an additional 13 euros per year, and an increase of 0,5 percent in the so-called income-related contribution, which is paid by employers, pensioners, and self-employed people. The House protested these decisions, instead asking the cabinet to fund the policy by increasing corporate tax.