Unions battle gov't on jobs plan, unemployment

Branch trade unions will present proposals before the Summer that will encourage job growth through tax reductions on labour. They are thinking of a sum of €1 billion. According to FNV president Ton Heerts, this idea has been approved by Prime Minister Mark Rutte and minister Lodewijk Asscher of Social Affairs, in a meeting where employers were also present, Heerts tells the ANP. The plans from the FNV, CNV and MHP must play a role in the discussion about the state budget for next year, Heerts says. "I am not saying that our proposals will be adopted immediately. Cabinet and employers are also at the table. But something does have to happen quickly to stem unemployment", Heerts says. "The economy is indeed recovering, but unemployment is hardly evening out. That is not acceptable." Heerts urges for immediate action, and not to wait for the tax reforms minister Eric Wiebes of Finance is preparing for the following Cabinet period. The FNV-president said in April that he wanted to meet with the Cabinet and employers to speak about fighting unemployment. At that time, the sum of €1 billion was also called in for the "plan of attack." Earlier, the cabinet reserved €600 billion for job plans. Unions and employers will add the same amount to that. For various sectors, such as construction and care, job plans have already been agreed upon. Heerts says these job plans are merely in place to cushion the blow for those people who have lost their job, and to help them find other work. "They do not lead to extra jobs. That is what we have to arrange now."