Philips, Dow Benelux and VDL Groep, among others, are at the table, as are Heineken and Schiphol. Boskalis is not present, this company was previously very critical of the business climate and has even threatened to leave the Netherlands.
On behalf of the Cabinet, in addition to Rutte, Ministers Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs) and Sigrid Kaag (Finance), also Ministers Van Gennip (Social Affairs), Schouten (Poverty, Participation and Pensions Policy), Schreinemacher (External Trade) and Harbers (Infrastructure) participated in the consultation, as did State Secretary Van Rij, responsible for tax matters. Also present at the meeting is DNB President Klaas Knot.
Big worries
According to Van Leeuwen, the business community is very concerned. After the departure of Shell to the UK and DSM to Switzerland, the companies will increase pressure on Rutte, Van Leeuwen predicts. ‘VNO-NCW, also present today, warns of a free fall in the business climate.’ The employers’ organization fears that the Netherlands will be overtaken by other countries if no action is taken.
For example, many companies complain about the profit tax in our country, the highest tax rate is now 26%, which is one of the highest tax rates in Europe. Also, there is a caveat about stringent legislation, as dredging company Boskalis has already done in response to the International Corporate Social Responsibility Act (ICSR). “Minister Van der Wal himself said that the business climate is becoming increasingly less attractive due to the severe nitrogen problem in our country,” says Van Leeuwen.
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No solution
Rutte and Adriaansens share the business community’s concerns, says Van Leeuwen. “For example, the cabinet is often rejected by the court, as in the case of the nitrogen crisis, and this makes the Netherlands an unstable and unreliable country.” Furthermore, the Cabinet does not have a majority in the Senate. “Under pressure from the opposition, the tax climate sometimes changes, wage costs rise and companies have to contend with tougher legislation.”
Companies actually need more predictability and want solutions to, among other things, labor market rigidities. Companies want more migrant workers to arrive, but this is precisely a sensitive topic within the coalition. ‘Rutte’s VVD doesn’t like this, D66 wants it. That party wants more specialized work for the technical, health and educational sectors. A big point today.’