No agreement yet on the BES Healthcare CLA

CLA Parties jointly support the principle of equivalent employment conditions, but have not yet reached an agreement on a new BES Healthcare CLA

August 28, 2026

After intensive negotiations from August 24 to 28, 2026 on a new BES Healthcare CLA, employers and unions have decided to suspend the negotiations. The CLA Parties regret that they have not yet been able to reach an agreement.

Equivalence as a shared starting point

The lack of an agreement does not stem from a difference of opinion about the direction the parties want to take together. All CLA Parties agree on the principle that employment conditions should become equivalent to those in the European Netherlands. Residents of the European Netherlands and the BES islands are equal citizens of the Netherlands. Healthcare employees on the BES should therefore also have equivalent employment conditions, and their employers should have the financial resources to make this possible. The main differences are the 36-hour work week, salary levels and pension.

A 36-hour work week as an important step toward equivalence

Introducing a 36-hour work week is a first step toward this equivalence. The unions demand its introduction as of January 1, 2027. Employers cannot meet this demand because the financial means to realize this shared ambition are lacking. The CLA Parties agree that this step makes an important contribution to more equivalent employment conditions. A 36-hour work week also contributes to the vitality of employees, a better work-life balance and a stronger labor market position for the BES islands. All CLA Parties also agree that its introduction must take into account the availability of care for residents of the BES.

Joint commitment to the next steps

After five days of intensive negotiations, the CLA Parties concluded that it is impossible to reach an agreement. Because of the impasse over the 36-hour work week, it is also not possible to make agreements on other topics, such as a salary increase, improved wage continuation during illness and special leave. These are points on which the parties do seem to find common ground.

The CLA Parties deeply regret that they cannot reach an agreement at this time. They have recorded the state of the negotiations in a suspension covenant and are considering the next steps.