Netherlands transport sector loses 11,000 workers to prolonged absenteeism

New research by Acture shows the Dutch transport sector forfeits the labour capacity of roughly 11,000 employees each year because of unnecessarily long sick‑leave periods. The study finds that a structured absenteeism‑management programme applied over three years can recover about 44 % of that lost capacity.

At the same time, the sector faces around 14,200 open vacancies, including about 6,800 for truck drivers. Annabelle Hagoort, CEO of Acture, stresses early signalling and swift, targeted action – only 12 % of managers currently inquire about or act on early complaints, while 72 % of workers report symptoms months before they become fully absent. Implementing early‑intervention measures could therefore help relieve the chronic staffing shortage and improve operational continuity.

The findings present a concrete opportunity for transport firms and logistics providers to invest in vitality and absenteeism‑prevention programmes, potentially easing the tight labour market without having to wait for new hires.