News item | 17-10-2023 | 15:28
Minister Carola Schouten (Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions) presented the Bill for the simplification of the job agreement and quota scheme to the House of Representatives today. The new law makes it simpler and more attractive for employers to hire people with disabilities.
The jobs agreement was made in 2013 by the government and representatives of employers and employees. They agreed to provide 125,000 additional jobs with regular employers for people with disabilities. They want to reach that number by 2026. At the end of 2022, the counter stood at more than 81,000 jobs.
Minister Schouten: “In recent years, employers have already provided many additional jobs for people with disabilities. I am happy with that. It means that more people can participate in society and develop themselves. Because work is more than just a salary. It’s about being able to develop your talents, learning new things and making social contacts. I think it is important that we continue to work towards an inclusive labor market, with equal opportunities for everyone.”
To make the jobs agreement and the quota scheme easier, the government proposes the following improvements:
Relieving employers’ worries
Employers are entitled to a wage cost advantage if they hire someone from the job agreement. This benefit can amount to €2,000 per employee per year. Employers currently receive a maximum of three years of wage cost benefit for an employee from the jobs agreement. Minister Schouten wants employers to keep this benefit as long as the employee remains employed. Employers and employees no longer have to request a special statement from UWV to receive a wage cost benefit. This reduces administrative burdens. These changes are intended to take effect in 2025.
No distinction between employers
In the current jobs agreement, the business community and the government must each provide additional jobs. The government wants to move towards one employment agreement for all employers. It no longer matters which employer someone works for. It’s about someone getting started and being able to participate. Government employers will first have to create more jobs before this distinction between the market and the government disappears.
Quota arrangement
The jobs agreement has a quota arrangement. This serves as a stick if employers do not achieve the agreed number of jobs. If this is not possible, a levy will follow. A quota can only be established after consultation with social partners and municipalities. The quota arrangement remains in place in the new law. What changes in the scheme is that employers who perform well receive a bonus. They will then receive a higher wage cost benefit from the job agreement. In this way, companies are rewarded that hire more employees with disabilities.
It is up to the House of Representatives when the bill will be debated.