Groups call for youth job networks

Union Abvakabo FNV and employers' organization Jeugdzorg Nederland say that there are thousands of youth care co-workers' jobs at stake now that the Cabinet is cutting almost €500 million from youth care. They plead for a job pool for youth care. "With a labour pool, the knowledge and experience of co-workers is preserved", the groups say. President of Abvakabo FNV Corrie van Brenk and Hans Kamps, president of Jeugdzorg Nederland, are calling on the Cabinet and the municipalities to choose proper youth care, and to support the plan. According to the groups, the creation of a labour pool could guarantee 10,000 jobs. "An investment of employers, unions and the government in such a job pool is an investment into the future of children", the groups say. This regional job pool could make sure that people who have become substitute or excess work staff at their current institutions have a job safeguarded. Next year, the municipalities will become responsible for youth care, employment and income and long-term and senior care. The union and employers are wary that thousands of young people could lose the care they have come to trust because of this transfer of responsibility.