Arbeidsvoorwaarden-nota 2026: werkgevers pleiten voor realistische loonafspraken in onzekere tijden

In the 2026 Working Conditions Memorandum, the AWVN, VNO-NCW, and MKB-Nederland call for lower wage agreements in the coming year. According to the employers, the current wage cost increases have become unsustainable and collective bargaining agreements must be realigned with the financial capacity of companies and sectors. The organizations also emphasize that collective bargaining agreements should focus more on training, productivity, and sustainable employability to strengthen the resilience of both companies and employees.

Companies under pressure due to rising labor costs

The organizations note that a growing number of companies are struggling to remain internationally competitive. A striking number of companies, particularly in the industrial and chemical sectors, have closed this year. The combination of high labor costs and other cost factors is increasingly causing investment decisions to be disadvantageous for Dutch companies. In some cases, production is even being relocated to other European countries.

According to employers, this trend is worrying because it leads to job losses, reduced investment and ultimately an erosion of the Dutch earning capacity.

Purchasing power restored – argument for high wage increases disappears

In recent years, unions have been working hard to restore purchasing power after the high inflation in 2022 and 2023. According to recent CPB figures, this decline in purchasing power has not only been fully offset but has even improved. Forecasts show that purchasing power will continue to rise next year.

According to employers, this means the main argument for high wage increases is no longer present. The focus must shift from purchasing power compensation to future-proof employment conditions.

More focus on education and sustainable employability

Because work is changing rapidly and some roles are disappearing, employers' organizations believe it is essential that collective labor agreements provide more room for investment in new skills, training, and improving labor productivity.

Examples include:

organizing work more efficiently;
the introduction of labor-saving technology;
structural agreements on continuing education.

These measures strengthen both the position of companies and the future prospects of employees. According to AWVN, VNO-NCW, and MKB-Nederland, this is a more sustainable approach than focusing solely on higher salaries.

The full text of the 2026 Working Conditions Memorandum can be found here download here.