Arco Timmermans and Wilmar Bolhuis Discuss Dutch Lobby Organisation VNO-NCW on BNR Radio
Several media outlets made mention of an accord on the proposal for a 'verplichte arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering' (mandatory occupational disability insurance) for ZZP'ers (self-employed persons), which is part of the 'pensioenakkoord' (Dutch agreement on pension reform).
The ZZP'ers themselves, however, did not take part in the negotiations but were represented by the Labour Foundation, a Dutch national consultative body of which VNO-NCW is a member.
Arco Timmermans, Professor by special appointment Public Affairs at the Institute Public Administration and Wilmar Bolhuis, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs took part in BNR Radio's Lobbypanel discussion on the influence of VNO-NCW. 'The prevailing image in the Netherlands is of VNO-NCW as the most powerful lobby organisation there is,' says Arco Timmermans. 'It's a bit of an exaggeration, but what's especially important for VNO-NCW is building bridges between companies and social organisations, that's the future.'
You can listen to the entire segment (in Dutch) on the website of BNR Radio.