In the Netherlands we have a number of generally recognised public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, King's Day and Liberation Day every fifth anniversary.
In case you can't work due to closure of the company for a public holiday on a weekday, you may be eligible for a compensation (holiday allowance). The payment of this allowance depends on your contract or your work history in previous 13 weeks on the weekday of the public holiday.
The calculation of whether someone is eligible for a public holiday allowance is clearly formulated in the CAO. If no clear-cut work size has been agreed, then:
- In phase A: That one must have worked for at least 7 of the 13 weeks (or more than half in the case of shorter employment) in order to qualify for the allowance.
- In phase B/C: That one always receives a holiday allowance if the holiday is on a day that one normally works.
For phases A, B and C, the number of hours that is paid is the average of the number of hours for which wages have been paid on that day in the 13-week period prior to the public holiday (however, this must be at least the contract hours).
If you have any questions or if something is not clear to you, consult the CAO for temporary workers, article 27 or complete the form below.