What constitutes heavy work is determined by sector in the collective labor agreement. TNO then assesses the process that the parties involved have followed to reach this delineation and provides advice on it. With a scheme for early retirement (RVU), people with heavy work can stop working up to three years earlier. This is stated by Minister Eddy van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment in a letter to the House of Representatives.

Minister van Hijum: “It is important that as many people as possible can reach their retirement while remaining healthy at work. This is not currently feasible for everyone. Therefore, we have made agreements with trade unions and employers about a targeted continuation of the RVU measure for people with heavy work. At the same time, we are focusing on sustainable employability. We are on track with the implementation of these agreements, so that starting next year there will be a good and targeted solution for these people.”

In determining what heavy work is, factors such as working hours, working conditions, and both psychosocial and physical and cognitive burdens are taken into account. The current RVU measure is an agreement from the Pension Accord of 2019. As a result of the agreement from October 2024, this measure will be continued in a targeted manner from January 1.

The agreements from the accord are monitored annually by the government and social partners. Every three years, a checkpoint takes place to determine if we are still on the right track. This also includes looking at the use of the RVU. When the signal value reaches 15,000, the government and social partners will jointly discuss the causes, focus, and adjustments.