Thefirst month of 2023 has begun and that means new rules around labor laws have been implemented. This year, many things have changed in favor of workers. For example, the minimum wage has been increased and people can use the STAP budget. Curious about the rest of the changes? Then read on quickly.
Yes, you read it correctly! On January 1, 2023, the minimum wage will increase by 10.15%. This increase in the legal minimum wage is a result of price increases. This is good to know before you start applying for a job, because workers aged 21 and older are now entitled to a gross wage of at least 1,934.40 euros per month.
Forthe first time since 2006, the untaxed mileage allowance is going up from 19 to 21 cents. Driving a car and using public transportation is becoming increasingly expensive, so employees are having to pay more and more to get to the office. Therefore, employers may now reimburse travel expenses to their employees tax-free, increasing the untaxed allowance.
Please imagine: you have to travel 20 km every day and work five days a week. So instead of receiving €152 per month ((20 km x 2) x 5 days x 0.19 cents) x 4 weeks), you will now receive €168 per month ((20 km x 2) x 5 days x 0.21 cents) x 4 weeks).
In 2023, the government will make available the STAP budget to attend a training, education or course. With the money (annual maximum of 1,000 euros per person) you can further develop or even expand your skills. This scheme exists because the government wants you as an employee or job seeker to be able to make your own decisions about your development during your career. Why? It increases the chances of keeping your current job or even getting a promotion. You can apply for the STAP budget every year. This year, the first application period begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Whatdoes this mean for you? Would you like to develop further and take specific training courses? Discuss this with the HR department.
Thislaw states that the employer must accept an employee's request to work from home. But, of course, it must be reasonable and possible in conjunction with the type of work you do as an employee. This law applies the other way around if, on the contrary, you want to work in the office as a home worker. Note, however, that only if the employee makes a request to work from his home address is the employer obliged to accept it. The law in question gives employees more freedom regarding their workplace. They have more control over their work-life balance due to the new situation.
FromJanuary 1, 2023, the retirement age will go up to 66 years and ten months. This means that everyone born after May 31, 1956 and before March 1, 1957 will reach retirement age in 2023. In 2024, the retirement age will change to 67. After that, the state pension age will rise not one year for every year we live longer, but eight months.
So the state pension age remains linked to life expectancy, but less so than before. The reason the retirement age is going up is that the average age in the Netherlands is rising. On your pay slip you will see that you pay monthly AOW premiums. Whoever works pays the AOW of the retired generation at that time. We call this system a pay-as-you-go system.
This system is now starting to become a problem because the average age expectancy in the Netherlands is increasing. When the AOW was introduced, the average retirement age was 73. Today, life expectancy is 81. So older people now use the AOW for twice as long on average. As a result, fewer people are working and paying AOW premiums. In other words, the AOW introduced in 1957 is now too expensive.
Thegovernment has plans to abolish the chain-of-contracts rule in 2023. Currently, the chain rule breaks if there is more than six months' break between contracts. After six months, the counter returns to zero. What does this mean?
Suppose you work at an organization and have three contracts, but you are going to travel for seven months. Usually you get a permanent contract at your4th contract. That used to not be the case because you went away for seven months. You then started back at your "first contract. There are plans to abolish this arrangement. Once this arrangement is active, after your third, you will get a permanent contact. Even if you had a break of more than six months!
In addition to the chain rule, the cabinet wants to abolish the on-call contract. To create more wage and schedule security, on-call contracts such as zero-hours and min-max will disappear. Basic contracts will come, with the exception of students and schoolchildren, with a minimum of one quarter-hour standard.
Review these points carefully and discuss them with your HR department to see if you qualify for anything.
Doyou have any questions or comments? Don't hesitate to contact our HR department.
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