What is the SER?
The Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER) is an advisory body in which entrepreneurs, employees and independent experts (Crown-appointed members) work together to reach agreement on important socio-economic issues.
The SER advises the Dutch government and Parliament on socio-economic policy. The SER also facilitates agreements and covenants. Examples include the creation of the Dutch Energy Agreement and various covenants for International Corporate Social Responsibility. In addition, the SER performs administrative tasks to promote employee participation, for example.
Objective of the SER
To promote broad prosperity, whereby society, the economy and the environment are in balance, here and now, later on and elsewhere. We do this by working cohesively on:
- Promoting entrepreneurship and decent work;
- Promoting sustainable growth;
- Creating an inclusive society with a balanced distribution of income.
Do you require more information about the objective? Please read 'SER chooses new objective' (News item in Dutch)
Work agenda
The objectives are worked out in the SER Work Agenda 2024-2026 (pdf, in Dutch). This work agenda forms the basis for the topics that the SER will be working on. The work agenda is based on the revised SER objective and the SER vision 'Perspective on broad prosperity in 2040'.
Vision of Broad Prosperity in 2040
The SER has also adopted the public version of its Future Vision 'Perspective on Broad Prosperity in 2040'. The Work Agenda 2024-2026 translates this vision into concrete courses of action that contribute to broader prosperity in 2040.
Guided by our new vision, government, social partners, civil society parties and citizens can work together to achieve broad prosperity. With the work agenda, the SER is taking the initiative to proactively respond to the major challenges facing our society, now and in the future.
Reflections on Public Support through Dialogue
The SER has a great deal of in-house expertise to provide high-quality advice. Quality alone is not enough; the advice must also be broadly supported in society. That's why the SER enters into dialogue with all parties involved in developing this support. In short, the SER motto is Reflections on Public Support through Dialogue.
The SER is independent
The SER operates independently, both in terms of content and finances. Although established by law, the SER is not a government institution. The SER is indirectly financed by the business community through the General Unemployment Fund (Awf).
SER and the consultative economy
In the Netherlands we aim to reach agreement on socio-economic policy through consultation. This happens at several levels. In companies, the works council consults with management. At industry level, trade unions negotiate collective agreements with the employer organisations, whereas the SER and Stichting van de Arbeid operate at a national level. All these forms of consultation are part of the so-called consultation economy.
