The NBBU (Dutch Association of Mediation and Temporary Employment Companies) and ZZP Netherlands (representative organization for the self-employed) is calling on all healthcare institutions in the Netherlands to apply a healthcare bonus to their self-employed and temporary workers.

Since mid-June, healthcare institutions can again apply for a subsidy to give their Covid healthcare staff a healthcare bonus.

“These professionals (self-employed and temporary workers) made a significant contribution to healthcare during the corona crisis. That requires a sign of appreciation," says Piet Meij, member of the advisory board of NBBU.

In 2020, some of the healthcare institutions failed to provide the healthcare bonus to independent healthcare professionals and temporary workers for ‘mostly administrative reasons and arbitrary reasons’, the NBBU and ZZP Netherlands stated.

“Thousands of healthcare professionals missed out on the healthcare bonus as a result, even though they were entitled to this according to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport,” both bodies stated. “This year's subsidy scheme is structured in the same way as last year. This means that many self-employed and temporary workers can once again see the bonus pass them by.”

The NBBU and ZZP Netherlands said that the contribution of flexible workers in healthcare amid the coronavirus crisis was significant and that the vaccination campaign was made possible by flexible workers.

“There is every reason, therefore, as employers and hiring organisations, but also as a society, to thank these workers for their efforts. The healthcare bonus is a physical expression of this,” the NBBU and ZZP Netherlands stated.