We published an article last month about a bill on the new Employment and Security Act. This Second Chamber has recently adopted the bill with some additional amendments. These amendments offer better protection for flexible workers.

The bill for the new Employment and Security Act (WWZ) introduces new provisions with regard to fixed-term employment agreements. Originally, these provisions were expected to come into effect on 1 July 2014. This date has been changed. The provisions are now expected to come into effect on 1 July 2015. The former provisions remain in effect for employment agreements commenced prior to 1 July 2015 that have not passed the two-year mark at this date.

It is currently possible to deviate from the provisions on succession of fixed-term employment agreements by way of a collective labour agreement. The bill limits these possibilities, as explained in our article last month. The intended date of effect for these provisions has also changed to July 2015. The deviations included in collective labour agreements agreed on and commenced before 1 July 2015 will remain in effect until the end date of the collective labour agreement, but no later than 1 July 2016.

Another approved amendment changes the possibilities of deviating from the provisions of fixed-term employment agreements with directors. Besides deviating from these provisions in a collective labour agreement, deviation is now also permitted in the agreement itself or by regulation of a competent administrative body. This applies only to directors who have an employment agreement with the company.

The bill is currently being debated in the First Chamber.

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