After a year and a half of takeaway coffees, the Dutch hospitality sector is finally up and running again. But workers are also running a lot faster than before due to a serious staff shortage — and their employers need to keep them.

The result? A slightly positive effect: for the first time in seven years, there’s an increase in incidental wages (wages outside collective labour agreements) in the Netherlands, reports the NOS.

Catering industry is most affected

Catering establishments in particular are affected by the shortage. A mix between coronavirus infections in the kitchen and a dramatic increase in visitors means many Dutch restaurants and cafes are hard pressed for staff.

An added challenge for employers is that they have to compete with better wages in other sectors. One restaurant owner tells the NOS that the corona crisis has meant some of her staff went to work for the GGD — where they earn a much higher salary.

To prevent existing staff from leaving to work for places like the GGD and to attract new employees, employers are prepared to increase wages.

A study by ABN Amro economist Piet Rietman shows hourly wages in the catering industry have increased from €10.49 last July to €11.08 this year. 🥳

Not enough

However, €11.08 per hour “is still sadly low” according to FNV (Federation of Dutch Trade Unions) Horeca director Edwin Vlek.

According to the trade union, people are working too much for too little money. This is worsened by the fact that permanent contracts are hard to come by in the Dutch catering industry. Vlek also notes that when people leave the catering industry, they rarely come back.

Incidental wage developments in the Netherlands

Piet Rietman, who is conducting a study on incidental wage developments, sees the debate about wages in the catering industry in a different light. According to him, the increase in incidental wages” means that collectively agreed wages will pick up in the coming years.”

The first examples of this can already be seen as wage agreements are 2.3% higher now compared to last July. This is still lower than before the corona crisis, but it’s headed in the right direction!

Do you have experience working in the Dutch catering industry? What do you think of the new developments in wages? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: amoklv/Depositphotos

Love chicken but feel bad about its living conditions? Then you’re in luck. After a long battle to end broiler farming in the Netherlands, animal welfare charities have had a big win. By 2023, only free-range chicken will be on the shelves of Dutch supermarkets.

Earlier this year, Dutch chain Albert Heijn lead the way, announcing they would stop selling battery chickens. Now all other Dutch supermarkets have followed suit, meaning by the end of 2023, you will only be able to buy chicken with at least one Beter Leven star.

Beter Leven star system

This system highlights meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal products that have paid attention to animal welfare. The more stars, the better the animal’s life.

Win for welfare groups

Animal rights organisations like Wakker Dier have been fighting for this for years. Anne Hilhorst from Wakker Dier tells AD that this is a “huge milestone.”

Worse for climate change?

While many are pleased by this announcement, not everyone agrees with the move to fully free-range chickens. The Dutch Association of Poultry Framers has raised their concerns, and they’re not what the ones you might expect — they’re worried about the impact on emissions.

READ MORE | How do the Dutch feel about climate change?

“It sounds crude, but for the climate, a broiler chicken is better,” chairman of the association, Bart-Jan Oplaat, tells the AD. “If all those chickens have to go outside, the nitrogen emissions will go up considerably.”

What do you think of the move to free-range chicken? Is it enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Feature Image: Wavebreakmedia/Depositphotos