‘An increase in purchasing power is an illusion’ | Financial

“Calling out that purchasing power will increase is a completely unbelievable story,” says Reinier Castelein, chairman of the union De Unie. “Municipal and provincial taxes are shooting up and every Dutch person feels that directly in their wallet.”

Dark cloud

Trade union CNV is positive about the plans, but also looks beyond improving purchasing power. “The fact remains that the corona crisis hangs like a dark cloud over the Dutch economy,” says chairman Piet Fortuin. “We are looking forward to more than half a million unemployed. This gives this sunny day a nasty aftertaste. ”

FNV is happy with the investments, but now considers it very important that people keep their jobs. “When developing the aid package, the cabinet must ensure that the investments benefit the people who do the work, they are the backbone of our economy,” said Chairman Han Busker.

The VCP trade union also calls for investing mainly in job retention. “The cabinet rightly chooses to allow the budget deficit to rise in times of corona. In the coming period, it is important to maintain that course as much as possible and to focus on employment ”“ said VCP chairman Nic van Holstein.

Dead mouse

Elderly union ANBO is critical and fears that the tax relief is a dead sparrow. “Many things have not yet been worked out,” says director Liane den Haan. “For example, there are still a lot of uncertainties in the pension agreement. The threat that pensions will be cut has also not been overcome. A further decrease in the purchasing power of millions of retirees is unacceptable in our opinion. ”

This year is a sober Prinsjesdag for freelancers, according to interest group PZO. Director Margreet Drijvers calls it ‘astonishing’ that in times of crisis the self-employed deduction is being phased out more quickly. “Especially in these times we must stimulate entrepreneurship and not punish it. With this measure, the cabinet affects all entrepreneurs. Even the entrepreneurs who cannot be compared with employees at all and who guarantee a lot of employment ‘, says Drijvers.

Employers

Employers mainly point to the cabinet’s choice to invest next year. “The ongoing corona crisis and the deteriorating international trade climate are making ever deeper dents in the financial resilience of companies,” says Machiel van der Kuijl, director of the Evofenedex business association. “Then it is good to hear in the speech from the throne that the cabinet will choose to invest next year and at the same time stimulate companies to invest through fiscal measures.”

Bouwend Nederland is satisfied with the broad support measures, but is concerned about feasibility. “The measures help to maintain employment in our sector and make the corona crisis less profound,” says chairman Maxime Verhagen. “But without a solution to the nitrogen problem, the risk remains that the decisions cannot be implemented.” The builders also believe that starter loans should be expanded and that municipalities should receive more money to deal with overdue maintenance.

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