Benefits and employment rights on the Dutch Continental Shelf

claimAOW

Since January 2012, employees on the Dutch Continental Shelf have enjoyed the same entitlements as employees on Dutch soil. They are entitled to benefits and enjoy the same employment rights.

Benefits
Anyone employed on the Dutch Continental Shelf is entitled to benefits under the:

  • Sickness Benefits Act (ZW);
  • Unemployment Insurance Act (WW);
  • Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA);
  • General Child Benefit Act (AKW);
  • Surviving Dependants Act (ANW);
  • General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW);
  • Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (AWBZ).

Employees can also claim childcare benefit, means-tested child allowance and healthcare benefit. In addition, they are required to take out healthcare insurance.

Employment law
Employees on the Dutch Continental Shelf fall under Dutch employment law. They can take disputes with their employer, over matters such as dismissal, to the limited jurisdiction sector of Alkmaar District Court. They are also entitled to the minimum wage and minimum holiday allowance.

Social Insurance (Continental Shelf) Act
The Social Insurance (Continental Shelf) Act governs the terms of employment and benefit entitlements of all employees on the Dutch Continental Shelf. Up to December 2011, their entitlements were laid down in the Employment (North Sea Mining) Act.

Act not applicable to seagoing vessels
The Social Insurance (Continental Shelf) Act does not apply to employees on seagoing vessels, who fall under various national and international statutes and regulations.

Source