NETHERLANDS – ANKO, the Dutch hairdressers employers’ organisation, is not obliged to transfer its early retirement scheme (VUT) into a pre-pension, a court in the Netherlands has ruled.

Two years ago, ANKO and the trade unions CNV Bedrijvenbond and Kappersbond FNV agreed the organisation was to transfer its VUT scheme into a pre-pension from January 2005. Employers and employees were to cover the costs on a 50:50 basis.

However, a Dutch court recently ruled the circumstances have changed so much that ANKO can no longer be forced to implement a pre-pension scheme. The court was referring to a recent shake up of the pre-pension system by the Dutch cabinet.

ANKO, which represents some 70% of Dutch hairdressing salons, said it was “very pleased” with the verdict, while the unions are looking into taking further legal action.