Inflation impact clear this Christmas season, labor union warns
Employees at major Dutch retailers are voicing frustration over increasingly meager holiday gifts from their employers, with labor union FNV pointing to "Christmas inflation" as a growing issue. While some companies hand out minimal items like ladles or branded Christmas ornaments, others issue gift cards that require workers to spend additional money at their own stores.
Linda Vermeulen, an FNV labor representative for retail workers, described the trend as a decline in corporate appreciation. “The personal acknowledgment from management is diminishing,” she said. According to FNV’s survey of minimum-wage workers and those earning slightly above it, the stingiest gifts are given in lower-wage sectors. “We see that those who have little are given little,” Vermeulen added.
At supermarket chain Jumbo, employees in distribution centers received a single oven mitt and a ladle as their holiday gift this year. This marked a reduction from 2023, when Jumbo provided cola, chips, and snack trays.
Zeeman employees received a thermos cup and a Christmas ornament from the store’s own inventory. Long gone are the days when founder Jan Zeeman reportedly handed out well-stuffed envelopes to personally thank employees during the holidays, FNV noted.
Retail giant C&A offered its employees a 25 euros gift card, which can only be used at C&A stores. HEMA, meanwhile, distributed the same amount in store credit but added a cookie tin and employee discounts.
At Albert Heijn's distribution centers, workers were given 25 euros Bol.com gift cards. Critics noted that Bol.com is also owned by Ahold Delhaize, Albert Heijn’s parent company. This practice, according to Vermeulen, funnels employee spending back into the employer’s pocket.
IKEA employees, who in the past received gifts like bread machines or bicycles, have seen their holiday rewards shrink over time. This year, the retailer provided gift cards for items like beach bags. In one instance, employees were given a 50 euros voucher for jeans that cost 100 euros.
However, some companies have improved their holiday offerings after backlash. Employees of luxury retailer De Bijenkorf previously criticized a single, low-cost Christmas ornament as insufficient. In response, the company upgraded its gift to a 50 euros voucher, though it remains redeemable only at De Bijenkorf stores.
Vermeulen emphasized that while some employees may prefer the simplicity of gift cards, the restrictive nature of store-specific vouchers often leaves workers spending their own money to use the gift fully. For many, the gifts highlight the lack of meaningful appreciation from employers, especially during challenging economic times.
