# Netherlands labor law and leave reforms > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/netherlands-labor-law-and-leave-reforms > Updated: 2026-10-18T16:44:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. The Netherlands is managing various aspects of labor and social security laws, specifically regarding leave and sick pay. The government has proposed a new Leave Act (Verlofwet) intended to simplify the current system by 2028. This reform aims to merge short-term and long-term care leave into a single eight-week regulation, where the first two weeks are partially paid at 70 percent of the salary and the following six weeks are unpaid. This proposal coincides with the Caregiver Agenda 2027-2030, though the Social and Economic Council (SER) has noted a lack of specific measures for expanding paid leave for informal caregivers. Separately, the Netherlands maintains a distinct position in Europe regarding employer-funded sick leave. Employers are legally required to continue paying wages for up to 104 weeks at a minimum of 70 percent of the gross salary. This duration is significantly longer than the requirements in other European nations, such as Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-18: Netherlands leads Europe in duration of employer-paid sick leave The Netherlands requires employers to pay sick leave for up to 104 weeks, a significantly longer period than in Germany, Belgium, or Sweden, where employer obligations are much shorter. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-leads-europe-in-duration-of-employer-paid-sick-leave ### 2026-10-14: Netherlands proposes new Leave Act to simplify care and parental leave The Dutch government plans to simplify leave regulations via a new Leave Act by 2028, merging care leave into an eight-week scheme while addressing caregiver support through a new national agenda. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-proposes-new-leave-act-to-simplify-care-and-parental-leave --- Cite as: Netherlands labor law and leave reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/netherlands-labor-law-and-leave-reforms