---
title: Dutch Works Councils Act (WOR)
description: "In the Netherlands the Works Council [ondernemingsraad, OR] is an internal body representing, promoting and protecting the interest of the employees. The rules concerning staff representation are described in the Dutch Works Councils Act [Wet op de ondernemingsraden, WOR)]. The…"
url: "https://humaninprogress.com/knowledge-base/dutch-works-councils-act/"
updated: "2026-11-03"
category: Works Councils
---

# Dutch Works Councils Act (WOR)

In the Netherlands the Works Council [ondernemingsraad, OR] is an internal body representing, promoting and protecting the interest of the employees. The rules concerning staff representation are described in the Dutch Works Councils Act [Wet op de ondernemingsraden, WOR)].

The Works Council has consultation rights in respect of certain significant proposed management decisions. Furthermore, they have approval rights in respects of intended company decisions regarding employment policies.

## History

The Works Councils Act was first adopted in 1950 and was suffused with the spirit of cooperation, one of the characteristics of reconstruction after the World War II. Originally, management was included as a member of the Works Council. Workers’ representatives possessed only rights to information and enter discussions. There was no right to be included in the decision making, and participation with regard to social issues was also not introduced until later.

The Act, part of Dutch civil law, was completely revised January 28, 1971, and officially entered into force April 1, 1971, filed under the subject Freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations. The Works Council gained autonomy as management, could not be part of the council anymore.

The role of the Works Council also changed, not only focusing on improving the functioning of the company, but also being responsible representing employee interests, and advising on all major strategic decisions such as mergers and takeovers, relocation, closure or reorganisation and major investments.

During recent years, more amendments of this Act have taken place, but the aim remained unchanged: employee participation in the enterprise by means of Works Councils.

## Proposed Changes Dutch Works Councils Act 2027

The Dutch bill implementing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, proposes amendments to the Works Councils Act. These changes concern employee representatives’ involvement in pay structures, equal pay and pay reporting.

The proposed amendments will include:

- **Article 27:** more explicit consent rights concerning pay systems, objective and gender-neutral job evaluation criteria, employee categories, measures to remedy unjustified pay differences and specified pay evaluations.
- **Article 31d:** consultation with the Works Council about the accuracy of information used for statutory pay reporting.
- **Article 35c:** additional rights for the personnel representation body, or PVT, concerning specified job evaluation criteria and employee categories.

These proposals build on existing Works Council rights, they should not be interpreted as giving the Works Council a general right to determine individual salaries.

The government has identified January 1, 2027 as the intended commencement date, subject to completion of the legislative process. The date is not guaranteed, and we will keep you informed.

A proposed legislative amendment is also separate from a new English translation of the Works Councils Act, as we will have to wait until the SER will publish a new version.

## Important Article

> [Works Councils Act Netherlands (WOR) in Dutch & English.](https://humaninprogress.com/works-councils-act-netherlands-english-translation/)

[“Works Councils Act Netherlands (WOR) in Dutch & English.” — Human in Progress](https://humaninprogress.com/works-councils-act-netherlands-english-translation/embed/#?secret=ubFUTff26S#?secret=PdlApKsCax)