Netherlands
Fifteen hospitals in southern Netherlands have come to an agreement over recruitment and training. The hospitals face staff shortages in some areas and have been competing among themselves by offering higher pay and have been using freelancers to fill gaps. Public services union Abvakabo believes that freelancers are often paid 20% more than directly employed staff but have less responsibility. The agreement means that the hospitals will no longer compete with each other through offering higher pay and will put more money into training. Abvakabo is pleased that hospitals are investing more in their staff and believes that improved training will help retain employees. However, the union is still concerned about working conditions in hospitals and what employers can do to compensate employees for heavier workloads during the next two to three years until the newly trained staff are available.
Read more at > Abvakabo
