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Is the Cabinet obliged to follow the Council’s advice?

No, the Cabinet is free to decide whether or not to follow the Council's advice. However, if an advisory report is unanimously supported by the full Council – representatives of both employers’ and employees’ organisations, as well as the Crown members – the message for the Cabinet is clear. According to the 1997 Framework Act Governing Advisory Bodies [Kaderwet adviescolleges], the Cabinet should respond to the Council’s advice within three months of its being issued. The agreement is that, if the Cabinet does not follow the Council’s advice, it must explain why not.