FNV: temporary workers miss out on millions | Financial

In a union poll of 168 temporary workers who lost their jobs in the past year, 86% say they have not received any legally required compensation. “Even if temporary workers do ask for it, they do not receive the transition payment,” according to FNV. Temporary workers sometimes lose thousands of euros a year as a result, the union calculates. In total, this would amount to an amount of €53 million per year.

Refuse

“Employment agencies know full well that they are doing the wrong thing, but refuse to improve their lives,” says FNV director Karin Heynsdijk. “They put money that is not intended for them in their own pockets. Even when actively asked about it, employment agencies shrug their shoulders, as we have experienced. A sick region at the expense of people who often barely have enough money to make ends meet.”

Since the entry into force of the Balanced Labor Market Act (WAB) in 2020, workers have been entitled to a transition payment from their first working day. This also applies to flex workers. In the survey, 70% of temporary workers indicated that they were not aware of this. According to FNV, employment agencies use a ‘beep system’: as long as no one asks for it, he or she will not receive anything.

Nuance

Employment agency ABU indicates that it does not agree with the conclusions of the union. “FNV draws far-reaching conclusions after talks with 168 temporary workers,” said a spokesperson. “Every year, more than a million people work as temporary workers. Every nuance is therefore missing in this study.”

ABU indicates that temporary workers who are entitled to a transition payment should simply be paid this. “There may be some ambiguity about that.”

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