Talks on reaching agreement between unions and employers on a string of economic reforms are nearing completion and a deal could be signed as early as Thursday night.
Social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher told reporters on Thursday afternoon the talks had 'entered a new phase' and that unions and employers are now in formal talks with the cabinet.
Asscher and prime minister Mark Rutte will join talks with the unions and employers on Thursday evening, website nu.nl said.
The negotiations have centred on a number of controversial areas, including changes to unemployment benefit and redundancy law and a pay freeze for health workers.
On Thursday morning, the Volkskrant newspaper said a deal had been agreed on unemployment benefit which would allow people with a long employment record to claim the benefit for up to three years. The government wanted to slash this to one year at 70% of salary and one year at 70% of the minimum wage.
Read more: DutchNews.nl - Unions and employers poised to sign economic reform agreement
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