Contractors against politics: extend heavy-duty regulation!

Contractors' Federation Netherlands Construction and Infra (AFNL) is urging political parties and the Ministry of SZW to extend the heavy-duty work regulation. According to the bravnche association, the heavy work regulation is "vital for both employees and employers in the construction and infra sector."

The AFNL points out that the heavy work scheme is a godsend for employees, who are really ready for retirement after 40 years of heavy work. It is therefore necessary to preserve the current and well-functioning scheme for the construction and infra sector.

"It is time to stand up for the hard-working men and women who build and maintain our buildings and infrastructure." During the three years the scheme has been operating, an average of over 3,000 workers receive benefits. This number fluctuates somewhat as people leave the scheme from the final retirement date and new ones come in. In the construction and infrastructure sector, there are no problems in assessing whether or not someone is doing heavy work."

Bearing responsibility

The heavy-duty regulation enables workers to retire earlier after a long career in the construction and infrastructure sector, where the work can be physically demanding. Without this regulation, workers are forced to continue working despite health problems. This leads to increased absenteeism costs and reduced productivity. The AFNL makes an urgent appeal to political parties and the Ministry of SZW to take their responsibility and extend the heavy-duty regulation

Call to action

The Contractors' Federation is calling on all parties involved to jointly stand up for the interests of construction and infrastructure workers and extend the heavy work regulation "We hope that politicians will listen to the people on the shop floor and protect their rights. We cannot allow these hardworking workers who have spent years building society to be left out in the cold. In our sector, the regulation is working well and we don't have any fuss about the definition of heavy work," said Arno Snellen, AFNL board member and CLA negotiator.