Now VVD revolts in Senate public sector salary debate

By Janene Pieters on December 24, 2014 - 12:50
Edith_Schippers_op_Prinsjesdag_2014
Health Minister Edith Schippers during Prinsjesdag, 2014 (photo: Rijksoverheid/Bas Arps). (Health Minister Edith Schippers during Prinsjesdag, 2014 (photo: Rijksoverheid/Bas Arps))

VVD minsters Edith Schipers (Public Health, Welfare and Sports) and Stef Blok (Housing) does not want to immediately implement the new law which cuts the top incomes in the (semi) public sectors back to the same amount as a minister salary. According to the ministers, there is not enough time.

As of January 1st Minister Ronald Plasterk of Internal Affairs wants the upper limit to be 100 percent of a minister salary. Currently the limit is at 130 percent. This issue was on Monday evening.

"I consider the remaining term until 1 January 2014 too short to still in 2014 come in a careful manner to a balanced system of classes with corresponding amounts under the new salary norm", Schippers wrote to the Second Chamber on Tuesday. Minister Blok uses the same argument. Their reasoning is controversial however. The plan to cut top incomes in the (semi) public sector to 100 percent of a minister salary has been known for some time.

VVD senator Heleen Dupuis, who is active in various boards, committees and supervisory boards in healthcare, is even angry with Minister Ronald Plasterk (Internal Affairs). Dupuis feels that there wasn't a thorough evaluation made of the effects that the cutback would have. "Coalition or not, the government must continue to behave properly", Dupius said in the KRO radio program De Ochtend van 4 on Tuesday.

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