Chaos surrounding new rules for temporary workers

Temporary workers are indispensable for many companies in the agro and food supply chain. Since January 1, 2026, a new standard applies to them: equivalent remuneration. The total package of employment conditions must be at least equal in value to that of a permanent employee in the same role. So it is not only the hourly wage that counts, but also allowances, vacation, travel expenses, training and pensions. On paper, fairly clear. In practice, however, it proves far more complicated.

According to CNV, things are going wrong on a large scale. “There is currently chaos in the temporary employment sector,” says Henry Stroek of the CNV team Bestrijding Misbruik Uitzendconstructies (BUMC). “Most temporary employment agencies do not have their systems in order.” Many temporary workers have still not received full confirmation of their “new-style” contracts. As a result, it is often unclear which employment conditions actually apply. At the same time, CNV says unjustified deductions are being made. That can “easily amount to 200 euros net per month.”

Unrest due to collective labour agreements

The background lies in the collective labour agreement. Temporary employment umbrella organizations ABU and NBBU did not reach an agreement with CNV, FNV and De Unie. Instead, a collective agreement was concluded with trade union LBV. According to Stroek, this agreement lacks clear arrangements about the concrete implementation of equivalent remuneration. “Exactly what we warned about is happening,” he says. “Temporary employment agencies are now interpreting the rules in their own favor, at the expense of temporary workers.” According to CNV, hundreds of thousands of temporary workers have still not received full confirmation of their updated contracts.

Debate over housing and VAT

Deductions for housing in particular are causing debate. By law, a maximum of 25% of the statutory minimum wage may be deducted. In some collective agreements that maximum is lower. The article mentions the agreements for Greenhouse Horticulture, Open Field Crops and Livestock Farming, among others. According to Stroek, these maximum price arrangements should also fall under equivalent employment conditions. He says that LTO, as well as ABU and NBBU, have confirmed that this is correct. Still, some temporary employment agencies are looking for loopholes, he says, and are charging higher amounts for housing.

Specifically, the amounts involved are 159.85 euros under the temporary employment sector agreement or 111.80 euros under the sector agreements mentioned. Some agencies claim that the 111.80 euros is exclusive of VAT. “Consumer prices — and in this case the worker is a consumer — are always inclusive of VAT. So this is creative accounting at the expense of the temporary worker.” CNV expects many wage claims this year and is calling on temporary workers to come forward.

Cnv.nl