Disability

In recent years, legal measures were taken to reduce both the inflow of people claiming disability benefits and the number of dismissals on account of disability:

In 2002 and 2004, two laws were passed to reduce long-term absence due to sickness. As a result, fewer people would claim benefits under the Act on Work and Income (WIA) and its predecessor, the Disability Insurance Act (WAO). By extending the period employees are entitled to receive wage payment, employers became fully accountable for absence due to sickness during the first two years. 

The Wet Verbetering Poortwachter seeks to improve and speed up the reintegration process of sick employees. Since 1 January 2004, sick employees no longer can claim WAO benefits. Since 1 January 2006, an employee can claim a WIA benefit after two years in which he/she is entitled to wage payment.