Henk Wesselo, director FNV Zelfstandigen, held a fiery speech at the FNV headquarters in Utrecht on 18 June for a group of independent KIVI engineers on the flexibilisation of the labour market and the role of the independent professional. A bit of history, a look behind the political scenes, but also practical issues such as VAR, AOV and pension. That these topics are topical in the daily practice of the self-employed was evident from the lively discussions during the break and the drinks.

Henk Wesselo, himself a Zzp-er, had deliberately left his slides at home and promised an interactive session. To put the role of the Zzp'er in context, Henk gave attendees a brief history lesson on the origins of the labour collective and the collective labour agreement. The emancipation of the worker, the role of unions in this and the flexibilisation of the labour market. A piece of history that puts the role of the Zzp'er in a different perspective. It is clear that Henk, with a long career in HRM, among others, has a very good dossier knowledge and expertise. His 1.5-hour speech was full of conviction, passion and chronological structure, which helped those present to better place the current position of and discussions about the Zzp'er.

Currently, there is a division, a compartmentalisation in the Dutch labour market. Between political parties, left versus right, between employers' and employees' organisations, a tension between the collective labour agreement and the individual contract of assignment. A dichotomy in which the role of Zzp'er is leveraged. The 'collectives' see the Zzp'er as a breakdown product of the long (100 years) and expensively fought collective agreements. They see the Zzp'er as a product of employers with the aim of achieving lower labour costs. In contrast, employers see the rise of the Zzp'er as an inevitable counter-movement necessary to slim down the costly collective agreements into employment contracts that meet the requirements of the present day. They believe that the modern worker can cover risks and arrange pensions himself; they see the Zzp'er as a self-confident worker who is self-reliant. A vision that turns out to be only partly true in practice. Indeed, not all self-employed people are able to achieve a good negotiating position for themselves. A position that not infrequently leads to low hourly rates and, according to some, verges on exploitation. This makes it expensive for this group of self-employed people to cover risks such as disability and build up pensions. Research shows that another large group among the self-employed has not yet thought about getting insurance or does not wish to insure itself. In practice, these situations regularly lead to a welfare situation, and thus to pressure on the social system because the benefits have to be paid by the 'insured'. The debate of protection on the one hand and flexibilisation on the other is not yet over, and compartmentalisation will continue for some time.

With this perspective in mind, the VAR/BGL discussion, compulsory disability insurance and the ZZP pension were discussed further after the break. Topics that attendees encounter in their daily practice given the number of questions and interesting discussions. Matters in which FNV Zelfstandigen offers fiscal and legal support but also products. During the drinks, animated conversations arose and the tax expert of FNV Zelfstandigen present was frequently asked for his advice. Around 10 p.m., we were kindly but forcibly requested by a self-reliant security guard to leave the premises. At the last minute, Henk Wesselo apologised for not living up to the interactive nature of the lecture due to his fiery speech. He offered to come and speak again for KIVI with the aim of answering many questions. Henk here we hold you to that!

Description

In BNR Spitsuur on 20 April, director a.i. of FNV Zelfstandigen Henk Wesselo, himself also a zzp'er, told about the VAR/BGL discussion in The Hague. Half an hour later, the news reported that FNV Zelfstandigen was cautiously positive but continues to follow the discussion in The Hague closely.

It is impossible to imagine the Dutch labour market without the self-employed. The group of over 800,000 self-employed professionals is 'here to stay' and growing. An important pillar of the Dutch economy with an impact on the current legal, tax and political system. Impact that causes a movement within the Dutch welfare state and that will cause a change within the social system. However, under the motto action-reaction, this impact also affects the current position of self-employed professionals in the Netherlands. Discussions about VAR/BGL, mandatory pension, self-employed deduction, hour criterion, etc. determine the future of the self-employed professional, his or her position and business operations. Necessary preconditions for entrepreneurship.

Zzp'er...Back in the future!?
Preconditions you don't really want to deal with as an independent entrepreneur, but which are essential for your business operations. As a professional, you want to use your knowledge, skills and experience to solve your client's problems and challenges. However, as an entrepreneur, you look ahead to assess business risks and create new opportunities. You want to know and understand where, how and who decides on framework conditions. Will you soon still be a free entrepreneur or will you be forced to join collectives? How will this differ from a salaried job? Back to square one...Back in the future!

FNV Zelfstandigen
We have found the director of FNV Zelfstandigen willing to outline the changing position of the independent professional in the Dutch labour market. A position highlighted from a fiscal, legal and social l perspective with topics such as compulsory pension, self-employed deduction, VAR/BGL.
After the break, a look into the Hague lobby kitchen will be given, the world of politics in The Hague, the parties, the ministries involved and the SER.
During the drinks, there will be an opportunity to meet the FNV Zelfstandigen present

18.00:00 Reception with a sandwich
18:30 Welcome & introduction FNV Zelfstandigen
19:00 Position of the self-employed in NL
19:45 Coffee/tea break
20:00 The Hague lobby kitchen
20:30 Drinks, networking & information
22:00 End

Speaker(s)

Henk Wesselo is director of FNV Zelfstandigen. In this role, he represents the interests of many self-employed people in politics and polder. He is a deputy member of the SER.
Henk has been self-employed since 2008, active as interim manager and consultant (strategy and HR). Besides many assignments for private companies, he has fulfilled assignments as an advisor on the labour market and social innovation for employers. Previously, Henk fulfilled many roles within Capgemini, both nationally and internationally; he was, among other things, 'Director Strategy and HR' of Capgemini Benelux.
From these very diverse experiences, Henk knows all the different perspectives on developments in the labour market up close - and has a clear opinion on them!

Location

FNV Zelfstandigen

Varrolaan 100, Utrecht

Organiser

Commercial Engineer

Name and contact details for information

John den Ridder, board member KIVI Commercial Engineer, at the e-mail address below

john.den.ridder@technolution.nl