Trade unions must determine pension plans

The unions and their jobs must quickly decide on the reform of the pension system.

That says State Secretary Jette Klijnsma of Social Affairs Friday in Het Financieele Dagblad.

'If you as social partners present your ultimate ideas about system renewal, it is difficult for the four negotiating parties to push the information table,' said the Secretary of State.

Klijnsma believes that the social partners must understand that a new pension system should better match the violent fluctuations in the financial markets and the rapidly flexible labor market. 'The 21st-century labor market is much more flexible than that of the 20th. If you see that, you need to set up the system accordingly. '