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“Work above Benefit”. the Dutch approach of reduction of Disability claimants. Seminar THE WELFARE STATE AFTER THE CRISIS, London, 9 March 2011 Hans Ouwehand, Director Calder Holding. Situation before 1990 in the Netherlands. Non activating system: High benefits /no incentives for employers
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“Work above Benefit” the Dutch approach of reduction of Disability claimants Seminar THE WELFARE STATE AFTER THE CRISIS, London, 9 March 2011 Hans Ouwehand, Director Calder Holding
Situation before 1990 in the Netherlands • Non activating system: High benefits /no incentives for employers • Estimate of 1 million disabled people on 16 millions inhabitants PM Lubbers 1990:“the Netherlands are ill” • Employers and unions (ab)use disability legislation for reorganisations • Unemployment risk is incooperated in disability legislation
Reconstruction of disability legislation • 1994 TZ/Arbo: Employer and employee responsible for policy occupational health • 1996 Wublz: Own risk of employer of 1 year • 1998 Pemba: Differentiation of premiums • 2002 Gatekeeper legislation: Flow chart • 2003 VLZ: Own risk of employer of 2 years • 2004 Herbo: Re-assesssment of 450.000 disabled • 2006 WIA: New Legislation for disability
Changes • Employer gets involved • Insurance companies get involved too • Creation of private Occupational Health and Welfare to Work market • Moreover: mind shift in society
Results • 2010: WAO/WIA 580.000 in stead of 800.000 or dreaded 1 million • 2009: 65% of partialy able are sustainable at work So: Surgery Succeeded, or did a few patients die along the way???
Down side • Complex system with many exceptions and desintegration of interventions. • Increase of Young Disabled and disabled without an employer. • Less than 35% class: disability risk infiltrated in unemployment legislation (reverse as in the 80’s, same as in Germany). • To much emphasis on retaining your current job. Decrease of mobility. “Employer and employee are convicted to each other.”
Solution Not an other reconstruction but recognition of the drawbacks: • Attention for young disabled and employees without an employer. • More focus on mobility to other employers/sectors. • Integral and early stage approach on interventions back to work.