“Working Dutch people pay the prize for the Golden Bergen that the cabinet promises,” responds CNV chairman Piet Fortuin. He points out the plan to shorten the duration of the unemployment benefit by six months. The CNV also states that the outgoing cabinet wants a zero line for government officials. “This means that tens of thousands of workers don’t get anything and that the knife goes into fundamental employee rights. Workers are increasingly deteriorating under the line.”
Watch Live: Politicians respond to the speech of King Willem-Alexander
Purchasing power
The government expects the average purchasing power to increase by around 1.3 percent next year. Trade union De Unie calls that ‘completely unbelievable’. “The new House of Representatives will soon decide on these purchasing power plates and will tinker again,” says Reinier Castelein chairman. “That not only makes the purchasing power plates appropriate, they are also changed. That makes the purchasing power promise today completely unbelievable.”
The trade union for professionals (VCP) says it is mainly missing urgency in the policy choices. “We lean on foundations from the past,” said chairman Nic van Holstein, who argues for a ‘prosperity pact’ for sustainable growth, good jobs and shared prosperity.
Nitrogen
Agriculture and horticulture organization LTO calls on the House of Representatives to work with the outgoing cabinet and social partners to find solutions for, among other things, the nitrogen issue in the Netherlands. “Thanks to Prinsjesdag, the financing of Minister Wiersma’s agricultural plans is today on the table. It would be irresponsible if the House of Representatives is on nitrogen, animal-worthy livestock farming and manure now blocks,” responds LTO chairman Ger Koopmans.
Prinsjesdag 2025: This is the program from start to finish
For the chemical industry there are bright spots in the Budget Memorandum, says Nienke Homan, chairman of branch organization VNCI, who points to plans on electrification, less regulatory pressure and the adapted CO2 levy. “The chemistry in the Netherlands is at a tipping point,” said Homan. “A powerful and predictable industrial policy is now needed to lower energy costs, make investments possible and to accelerate sustainability. The next five years are decisive,” Homan said.