Many can take day off for Eid Al-Fitr as more labor agreements allow switching holidays

Eid al-Fitr, the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan this week, is an important holiday for the approximately 1 million Muslims in the Netherlands. This year, more Muslims are able to take the day off to celebrate. An increasing number of collective bargaining agreements allow employees to switch out the Christian holidays for holidays that apply to their religion, trade union FNV and employers’ organization AWVN told NOS.

According to FNV, the largest trade unions involved in labor agreement negotiations, 75 of the 704 collective agreements active on January 1 of this year included the option to switch out religious holidays, up from 51 two years ago. This includes the collective bargaining agreements for hospitals, ABN Amro, IKEA, and ProRail.

“That number is increasing, and we consider that a good thing,” FNV told NOS. The trade union added that another 167 collective agreements contain provisions to ensure that people receive priority when taking leave for religious holidays.

The AWVN also noted the increase. “And once included in the collective labor agreement, it doesn’t go away. So it does add up,” a spokesperson said. “With these kinds of agreements, it can be easier to recruit people, and you can position yourself as a modern employer that is accessible to employees with all kinds of backgrounds.”

“It can also be attractive for employers, for example, in the process industry. There, you always need a minimum staffing level, so also at Christmas. Traditionally, that’s difficult to plan, but some people say: I’ll work at Christmas and take another day off,” the AWVN spokesperson said.

NOS also spoke to a Rabobank employee who is easily taking time off for Eid al-Fitr for the second time this year. "Previously, I always had to consult thoroughly to get time off and ask if it fit into the schedule. Now that is no longer necessary. That provides more autonomy and a sense of anticipation. It also feels like there is more room for everyone, which I appreciate,” Mohammed Amchich told the broadcaster.

Rabobank has allowed employees to take off on a day of their choosing for a “diversity day” since January 2022. “Rabobank has a diverse workforce with colleagues from various cultural and religious backgrounds,” Alexander Keuenen of the bank told NOS. “Employees cannot be required to work on a holiday of their own choosing or a religious holiday. In this way, we offer our employees space and flexibility to celebrate important moments in a manner appropriate to their own background and beliefs.”