Dutch trade unions FNV and CNV have announced that on Tuesday, November 12, 10.000 pharmacy workers across the Netherlands will go on strike for a fair wage increase and better working conditions. Due to this, almost all public pharmacies will be closed for the day.

National pharmacist strikes in the Netherlands

In September, pharmacy workers participated in the first-ever strike of the sector. Since then, employees have continued with regional work stoppages without any progress. To draw more attention to their demands, 10.000 workers will take part in walkouts and many union members will gather at the Malieveld in The Hague from 10.30am until 2.30pm. 

According to CNV, staff at Dutch pharmacies have a heavy workload and need to receive the appropriate wages to match it. “Pharmacy employees do very responsible work, but do not receive the appreciation they deserve,” said CNV director Albert Spieseke in a press release. “Pharmacists are shooting themselves in the foot,” Spieseke continued to say. “The number of vacancies in pharmacies is growing, the workload is increasing, in this way an indispensable link in the healthcare chain is getting stuck.” 

Dutch pharmacy workers demand higher wages

On behalf of pharmacy workers, CNV and FNV are demanding a retroactive increase in wages of at least 6 percent from July 1, 2024, and a minimum wage of 16 euros per hour. It is also common for employees to perform aspects of their jobs outside of working hours without remuneration - unions also want workers to be paid for these overtime hours.

“For three months now, pharmacy employees have been protesting for a new, better collective labour agreement,” said FNV director Ralph Smeets. “But a decent wage offer from their employers is still not forthcoming. And the money made available by the minister to increase wages in line with inflation has gotten stuck somewhere.” 

With such a large gathering planned for The Hague and the national strikes, it will be the first time that the pharmacy sector has seen such a protest. “Although it is annoying for patients that pharmacies are closed for a day, taking action is necessary,” Smeets and Spieseke claimed in a statement. “Without structural improvements, healthcare is in danger, and soon there may be no pharmacies left.”