Unions, employers fight over permanent contracts

Trade union FNV organized a march and demonstration in Amsterdam on May 1st, Labor Day, calling for more "real jobs" instead of temporary contracts. "Employees on permanent contracts have come a risk and for employers it is only about one thing: making profits", said Ton Heerts, FNV chairman, NOS reports. He criticized this mindset and said that more attention should be paid to employees. "Many employers, including the government, are turning real work into precarious and temporary contracts." According to the union, this can not continue. "This far and no further." Employers' organization MKB Nederland thinks that the union's call is exaggerated. "The freelancers will not disappear: they are 'here to stay'", MKB foreman Michael van Straalen said. "Due to the rapidly changing labor market, employers have greater need for flexible workers and freelancers." According to the broadcaster, the number of permanent contracts has fallen sharply over the past decade - 507 thousand permanent jobs have disappeared. At the same time, 629 thousand flex jobs have been created.