Priscilla is an expert in dismissal law, expats, and employee participation
priscilla.deleede@russell.nl +31 20 301 55 55From 1 January 2023, the level of the statutory minimum wage and the youth minimum wage will change. This time, because of inflation and to make work more attractive, the increase is much higher than usual. Please find below the new amounts.
From 1 January 2023, for the first time since the introduction of the statutory minimum wage, a special increase will be applied on top of the normal indexation of wages. The aim, according to the government, is both to make work more attractive and to ensure a better living wage. Indeed, many benefits are linked to the level of the minimum wage.
This increase is the first in a series of three. Special increase is also scheduled for 1 January 2024 and 1 January 2025. In addition, there is a proposal, which is also backed by the government, to use a minimum hourly wage as a starting point for the level of the various minimum wages instead of a monthly minimum wage. As this is based on the then applicable minimum hourly wage for a 36-hour week, this will mean an additional increase in the minimum wage for employees working more than 36 hours a week.
As of 1 January 2023, the statutory gross minimum wage for employees 21 years and older that work full-time will be:
| € | 1,934.40 | per month |
| € | 446.40 | per week |
| € | 89.28 | per day |
Please be informed that the law regarding gross minimum wage is statutory law. Therefore, the gross statutory minimum wage also applies to employment contracts with foreign employees that habitually perform their work in The Netherlands, even in case a choice of law has been made in the employment contract.
| Age | Percentage | Per month | Per week | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 years | 80% | € 1,547.50 | € 357.10 | € 71.42 |
| 19 years | 60% | € 1,160.65 | € 267.85 | € 53.57 |
| 18 years | 50% | € 967.20 | € 223.20 | € 44.64 |
| 17 years | 39,5% | € 764.10 | € 176.35 | € 35.27 |
| 16 years | 34,5% | € 667.35 | € 154.00 | € 30.80 |
| 15 years | 30% | € 580.30 | € 133.90 | € 26.78 |
When the working time is shorter than the customary working time, the statutory (youth) minimum wage will be in proportion to the hours worked.
The hourly wage may vary across the sectors, depending on the number of hours that is agreed upon as the customary working time. The customary working time is defined as the working time which has been agreed upon for full-time employment in a certain sector. In most collective labour agreements the working time of full-time employment is 36, 38 or 40 hours per week.
| Age | Percentage | 40 hours | 38 hours | 36 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 years and older | 100% | € 11.16 | € 11.75 | € 12.40 |
| 20 years | 80% | € 8.93 | € 9.40 | € 9.92 |
| 19 years | 60% | € 6.70 | € 7.05 | € 7.45 |
| 18 years | 50% | € 5.58 | € 5.88 | € 6.20 |
| 17 years | 39,5% | € 4.41 | € 4.65 | € 4.90 |
| 16 years | 34,5% | € 3.85 | € 4.06 | € 4.28 |
| 15 years | 30% | € 3.35 | € 3.53 | € 3.72 |
Would you like to know more about pay and the terms and conditions of employment? Or do you have any other questions about employment contract modifications? Please contact us:
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