1. Implementation of the Lisbon strategy in The Netherlands Joint conference HESC/EESC Budapest 9 March 2006 Ton van der Wijst ESC, The Netherlands Economic Affairs Department t.vander.wijst@ser.nl

2. Outline presentation Dutch context Preparation of the Dutch NRP Results Conclusions

3. The Dutch Context Long tradition of consultation: Labour Foundation Social and Economic Council Recent reforms Health insurance system Social security system

4. Preparation of the Dutch NRP Who is doing what? “Mr. Lisbon”: Secretary-general Economic Affairs Consultations on different levels Role of the social partners

5. Results NRP sent to parliament (21 September) mainly coalition agreement present government Reaction social partners in appendix coordination vis-à-vis collective agreements advising the government Discussion in Parliament (12 October) no media attention

6. Conclusions More political debate? Rather bureaucratic than political Role of social partners: Employment Agreement (December 2005) Advisory projects