On 17 March 2020, the Dutch government announced that exceptional economic measures must be taken in relation to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) crisis. Part of the measures entail the withdrawal of the Reduction of Working Hours Scheme (werktijdverkortingsregeling). Under the Reduction of Working Hours Scheme, it was possible for employers to apply for a permit under which it could temporarily apply for unemployment benefits for its employees under the Unemployment Insurance Act (Werkeloosheidswet) to prevent (collective) dismissals. The Reduction of Working Hours Scheme has been declared not to apply to the current situation and an Emergency Bridge Measure for Conservation of Work (Tijdelijke Noodmaatregel Overbrugging voor Werkbehoud) has been instated (the Emergency Measure).

For more information, read the full GT Alert: “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Dutch Government Issues Emergency Measures for Employers and Entrepreneurs.”

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Photo of Iza van Erkel Iza van Erkel

Iza van Erkel advises and represents national and international clients across a broad range of employment and employee benefits issues. Her experience includes dismissals, large restructurings, transfer of undertaking (TUPE), employee representation (works council and trade union consultation), employee benefits (including remuneration within…

Iza van Erkel advises and represents national and international clients across a broad range of employment and employee benefits issues. Her experience includes dismissals, large restructurings, transfer of undertaking (TUPE), employee representation (works council and trade union consultation), employee benefits (including remuneration within financial institutions), occupational health and safety matters, strategic employment issues, employment litigation, and cross-border corporate law-related employment matters.

Photo of Suzanne Walstra Suzanne Walstra

Suzanne Walstra is a tax lawyer and attorney-at-law. She focuses her practice on national and international tax structures.

Photo of Thomas Timmermans Thomas Timmermans

Thomas Timmermans advises and represents national and international clients across a broad range of employment and employee benefits issues. His experience includes corporate governance, dismissals, large restructurings, employee representation, employee benefits (including remuneration within financial institutions), strategic employment issues and cross-border corporate law-related…

Thomas Timmermans advises and represents national and international clients across a broad range of employment and employee benefits issues. His experience includes corporate governance, dismissals, large restructurings, employee representation, employee benefits (including remuneration within financial institutions), strategic employment issues and cross-border corporate law-related employment matters. Within these areas of law, Thomas has particular knowledge and experience in the field of board member terminations, outsourcing/transfer of undertakings (TUPE), works council consultation procedures, and incentives.

Thomas is active in the Dutch Association of Employment Lawyers (VAAN), the Dutch Association of Pension Lawyers (Vereniging van Pensioenjuristen), the Dutch Association of Employment Law (VvA) and the Association of Employment Lawyers Amsterdam (VAAA).