Poultry Sector Sets Course: New Collective Labour Agreement Protects Labour Migrants
Veenendaal, dinsdag, 17 juni 2025.
Employers’ organisation Nepluvi has concluded a new two-year collective labour agreement with trade unions FNV and CNV, specifically focusing on improving working conditions for labour migrants. The agreement goes beyond previous initiatives and includes a sector-specific covenant implementing the recommendations of the Meat Working Conditions Taskforce. Moreover, the NEN+ certification system for employment agencies is being tightened, ensuring temporary workers automatically receive a permanent contract after 21 months. Chairman Gert-Jan Oplaat emphasises that the sector wants to be transparent and constructively work on further improvements for labour migrants.
New Collective Labour Agreement Focusing on Labour Migrants
Employers’ organisation Nepluvi has concluded a new two-year collective labour agreement with trade unions FNV and CNV last Tuesday, which pays special attention to the position of labour migrants in the poultry processing industry [1]. The agreement includes concrete measures that align with Minister Eddy van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment’s call to improve working conditions [2].
Enhanced Legal Protection
A crucial provision in the new collective labour agreement is the introduction of a sector-specific covenant that adopts the recommendations of the Meat Working Conditions Taskforce [2]. Furthermore, the NEN+ certification system for employment agencies is being tightened, meaning only certified employment agencies may operate in the poultry sector [3]. Temporary workers will automatically receive a permanent contract after 21 months, with the option to object within three months if this contract is refused [3].
Sector Response
Nepluvi Chairman Gert-Jan Oplaat emphasises that the sector is open to improvements and constructive dialogue [1]. He states that research has not revealed any signals of problems with working conditions in the poultry processing sector [2]. The organisation also opposes a total ban on temporary work in the meat sector [1].