Measures to reduce disability

Legislation has come into effect in recent years to reduce the number of new disability benefit claims, but also to reduce the number of people dismissed because of disability.

The Wet verlenging loondoorbetalingsverplichting bij ziekte (2004) requires employers to continue to pay the wages of employees who are ill or have a disability for the first two years of absence. This act is intended as an extra incentive for employees to reduce sickness absence. The ‘Gatekeeper Act’ (Wet verbetering poortwachter) was introduced in 2002 and aims at reducing long-term sickness absence and thus claims for disability benefits.