‘Meer zekerheid flexwerkers’ bill presented to the House of Representatives

On 19 May 2025, the government submitted the ‘Meer zekerheid flexwerkers’ bill to the House of Representatives for consideration. This bill stems from the agreements the cabinet made in 2023 to reform the Dutch labour market (the labour market package). The aim of this reform is to achieve a better balance in the labour market.

Purpose of the bill
The main purpose of the proposed bill is to strengthen the certainty of employees working under flexible employment contracts, particularly regarding income and working hours. In addition, the bill aims to reduce the differences between permanent and flexible employment contracts.

Proposed measures
One of the measures in the bill concerns the abolition of so-called zero-hour contracts. Instead of these on-call contracts, the ‘bandbreedtecontract’ will be introduced. In this type of contract, a minimum and maximum number of working hours are agreed, with the maximum difference of 130%. For example, with a minimum of 10 hours, the maximum is 13 hours. Employees have the right to refuse work beyond this maximum, and if this maximum is exceeded, the employer must offer the employee a contract with more working hours. The ‘old’ zero-hour contract may still be used under the bill for minors, school pupils, and students with part-time jobs.

Another measure is that temporary agency workers will be entitled to at least equal or at least equivalent employment conditions as regular employees. In addition, the period during which flex workers can be dismissed every day and do not know how many hours they can work will be reduced from one and a half years to one year. As a result of these measures, the legal position of flex workers will be improved, helping to reduce exploitation through temporary employment constructions.

There will also be stricter rules to prevent revolving door constructions (‘draaideurconstructies’) with temporary contracts. For instance, the current six-month interval between temporary contracts will be replaced by a period of five years, to prevent employees get another temporary contract after a relatively short period of six months and thus lack job security.

Progress of the bill
The bill is not yet in effect. The House of Representatives will now consider the proposal. After approval by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the bill will come into force on 1 January 2027, except for the part on equal pay for temporary workers. This part may already take effect on 1 January 2026.

It goes without saying that we will keep you informed of developments.