News item | 03-07-2025 | 15:48
Since the start of the Job Agreement in 2013, employers have realized nearly 90,000 extra jobs for people with a work disability, according to figures for 2024. That is a slight increase of 4,000 extra jobs compared to the previous year. State Secretary Jurgen Nobel (Participation and Integration) reports this in his letter about the interim results of the job agreement.
The job agreement is an agreement between the cabinet and representatives of employers and employees. They agreed to ensure 125,000 extra jobs in ordinary employers for people with a work disability in 2026.
State Secretary Nobel: “Together with the employers, we really have to attract a leg to ensure more jobs. That is why we are now improving the rules for the job appointment. Ultimately, everyone must be able to get the chance to participate in work, even if support is needed.”
Improvements
According to Nobel, the help people get to get to work and stay now often depends on a person’s benefit situation. While the support needs of people should be central. That is why Nobel is working on a new job agreement where the most important starting point is what someone can and needs. He does this together with the people who are involved, social partners, municipalities, Cedris and UWV. The State Secretary wants to come up with solution directions at the beginning of 2026.
For the shorter term, Nobel is working on further broadening of the target group of Job Agreement, so that more people with a work disability can get support towards a regular job. The State Secretary also makes it easier for employers to hire someone with a work disability. This makes it easier for companies to request wage cost benefit for employees with a disability. From January 1, 2026, this benefit also applies as long as the employee is employed, instead of the current maximum period of three years.
One job appointment
Another measure that should lead to more jobs is the elimination of the current distinction between market and government in the job agreement. It is no longer about where someone works, but that someone is working. The expectation is that the government and market will realize more jobs in jointness. The cancellation of this distinction is already included in the law and is possible at the earliest on July 1, 2026.