Young professionals want to participate in the debate on improving the business climate

According to young professionals from Dutch companies, the government should implement predictable policies to create a favourable business climate and ensure that young, international talent can thrive here. In turn, companies should be transparent about their actions, pay their fair share of taxes, and invest in the surrounding environment. PwC Chief Economist Barbara Baarsma observes that young people are eager to participate in discussions on improving the business climate and fostering trust between the business sector and society.

Priorities for a business agreement

In mid-October, the Dutch House of Representatives adopted a motion regarding the establishment of a business agreement — an agreement between companies and the government with commitments to improve the business climate. According to young professionals, what should be included in such an agreement? What are the priorities that entrepreneurs and the government should jointly address? At a PwC event for young professionals from various companies on the future of the high-tech manufacturing industry, we posed these questions to the participants.

International character of education

As one walks among the young professionals at the gathering in Rotterdam, it becomes immediately apparent: an international group has come together here. It is not surprising, then, that the participants, unlike some members of the Dutch House of Representatives, are strong supporters of the international character of our education system. Not as a goal in itself, but to expand the talent pool in the Netherlands. They experience every day that their employers are in desperate need of well-educated employees. Therefore, they advocate for improving the quality of (technical) education and for maintaining English-language study programs in schools and universities, especially in technical subjects.

Reforming, not abolishing, the 30% ruling

'Make the Netherlands more visible worldwide as a great place to work and improve the incentives to attract talent from abroad,' say the participants of the PwC event. They do not want to abolish the controversial '30% ruling' - the rule that allows foreign employees to receive a tax-free allowance of up to thirty percent of their salary for a period of five years under certain conditions, which was scaled back by a majority of the Dutch House of Representatives in October 2023  - but they want to reform it. Some interpret the abrupt end of this tax benefit after five years as a kind of 'five-year contract' with the Netherlands. Gradually reducing the 30% ruling to twenty percent and ten percent and spreading this benefit over a longer period than five years, can encourage expats to stay in the Netherlands longer, creating a deeper connection with the country. 

Trust between the business community and society

Trust between the business community and society is one of the key focal points for the young professionals at the Rotterdam gathering. They emphasize the importance of transparency, explaining the actions of companies, and lending a helping hand to society in solving problems. The participants are aware that the labour market is tight and that Dutch companies are eager for highly educated, technically skilled talent. At the same time, they frequently experience the distrust of society because part of the society is blaming problems such as the housing shortage and long traffic jams on them. Besides, politicians do not stand up for a company that causes 'trouble', but they do for a company that is integrated into society.

Be a good neighbour

Therefore, companies must be transparent, actively seek communication, and explain what they are working on. Invest in and give back to the community. Ensure that you are a 'good neighbor' in the area where you operate and contribute to local and national projects, for example, through volunteering or helping the government solve the housing crisis. That is the motto.

Also, invite the youth

The reason for the event was the PwC report Made in NL, which focuses on the significant value of the high-tech manufacturing industry for the Netherlands but also highlights the limitations that this sector, as well as almost all other sectors, face. The business community cannot solve these problems alone, nor can the government. That is why it is so important to reach agreements on these issues in a business agreement. The final message from the young talents: also invite young people to provide input.