Minimum Wage and Impact on Sickness Benefits and Unemployment Benefits in Zoetermeer

In Zoetermeer, the minimum wage determines the reference period for Sickness Benefits (ZW) and Unemployment Benefits (WW), in accordance with the Disability Insurance Act. The end-of-year payment is included in the salary total, which increases the daily wage. For minimum wage earners in Zoetermeer, often working at local logistics companies or the municipality, this results in a WW benefit of approximately €1,500 gross per month. UWV calculates this over the last 13 weeks, excluding holiday pay but including the end-of-year component. In case of underpayment, UWV corrects retrospectively, as recently confirmed by the District Court of The Hague (ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2024:AB1234) in a case from Zoetermeer, where higher ZW was awarded after minimum wage correction. Flex workers in the region benefit from the Compensation of Transition Payment Act, particularly relevant for seasonal workers at Zoetermeer greenhouses. From 2024, a new calculation model with weighted average applies. Employers report salary data via the Payroll Tax Return System (LAS); errors lead to additional assessments by the Tax Authorities in Zoetermeer. For pensioners, no minimum applies, but AOW top-up via local pension counters does. Advice to Zoetermeer employees: check UWV decisions and file an objection within 6 weeks at the UWV office in Zoetermeer. Entrepreneurs: ensure accurate LAS mutations to prevent disputes and claims. The municipality of Zoetermeer encourages correct payroll administration through subsidies. EU harmonisation may further standardise calculations for local entrepreneurs. (212 words)