No 'corona safety net' for temporary workers

A parliamentary majority has asked minister Koolmees to come up with a supplementary scheme for flex workers who fall between the cracks. But Koolmees cannot promise a solution for them.

Many flex workers fall between two stools. Often, flex workers have not yet built up enough entitlements to receive unemployment benefits. Moreover, unlike self-employed workers, they are subject to an asset and partner test, so they are usually not eligible for support up to social assistance level as self-employed workers can get.

That is why a majority in the House yesterday asked Minister Koolmees in a debate to come up with a safety net for flex workers. The Labour Foundation urgently appealed to Minister Koolmees to amend the NOW and make it more accessible to workers with and temporary contract, an on-call contract or a temporary employment contract.