The Cabinet puts an end to unconfirmed contracts on demand, such as the zero hour contract. It will be replaced by a more elaborate basic contract, which gives employees more certainty about matters such as income and hours. Minister Karen van Gennep (Social Affairs and Employment) reported this to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Van Gennip believes it’s important for employees to know ahead of time when they should be available for work. This also makes it possible, for example, to take on a second job in which they may be able to make ends meet. There is still an exception for pupils and students.

The government is working on a comprehensive reform of the labor market. Flexible work remains possible, but the basic principle is that “structural work is organized in principle on the basis of employment contracts for an indefinite period”.

In doing so, the Cabinet is following the advice of the Borstlab Committee, which has conducted research into labor relations, and from the Social and Economic Council (SER). It is not yet clear when the measure will take effect.

The SER, where labor unions and employers present joint proposals on the labor market, reached consensus in June last year. an agreement about labor market reform. This included advice to the Cabinet to abolish zero contracts and introduce a minimum wage for self-employed workers.