Trade union CNV is pleading for more time off for informal care and a shorter workweek

Trade union CNV believes that workers should have more rights to time off for informal care, their children, or volunteer work. The union's new vision, which was scheduled to be presented on Friday at the opening congress in honor of the merger of all CNV unions, said that the right to more time for care fits into the union's plea for a 30-hour work week.

In his statement, CNV chair Piet Fortuin made specific mention of high rates of sick leave, increasing workload and work pressure, and "a huge wave" of people nearing retirement. "Today's workers have to keep a lot of balls in the air, and are increasingly caught between work, private life and care responsibilities," he said. His union will negotiate more firmly on giving people more time for care as part of future collective bargaining agreements.

According to research conducted by CNV, a majority of Dutch citizens are in favor of a 30-hour work week. Around 54 percent of the people surveyed expect a 30-hour workweek to be the norm in 10 years, and almost half think a five-day workweek is antiquated.

"More and more companies are changing tack by implementing a shorter work week. AFAS is a big player that announced this week that they will implemented the four-day workweek. Smaller companies are also experimenting with it. The shorter work week is more common abroad than in the Netherlands. Initiatives from Iceland, England, and New Zealand have proven to be effective." Fortuin added that CNV now includes the shorter work week as a commitment in their collective bargaining agreements.

The opening congress of CNV marked the start of the merger between the various CNV unions, such as the CNV Vakcentrale, CNV Vakmensen, CNV Connective, and CNV Jongeren. From now on, CNV will be one organization. Former Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende was set to address the group, as well as Social Affairs and Employment Education Minister Karien van Gennip.