IKEA workers in Netherlands continue strike over low wage offer

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Global Industry News

IKEA workers in Netherlands continue strike over low wage offer

Matthew Graham Interim Executive Director of World Players Association | UNI Global Union

By Sky Industry News

Mar 6, 2025

UNI Global Union stands in solidarity with IKEA workers in the Netherlands as they struggle to assemble an agreement with the company for a fair pay rise and measures to address an increasing workload.

Dutch affiliate trade union, FNV, has been pushing for a 7 per cent wage increase to protect employees’ purchasing power. However, IKEA’s latest offer – a meagre 0.4 per cent increase from 1 January 2025, followed by a 2 per cent raise on 1 July 2025 – falls significantly short of what workers need, especially given the 3.3 per cent inflation rate reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) in January.

Last year FNV issued an ultimatum to IKEA, which expired just before the Christmas break without an agreement. Since then, the union has ramped up its actions, making headlines with high-profile demonstrations, including the appearance of FNV’s giant six-metre-high inflatable yellow duck – a striking visual symbol of the protest. In the past two weeks, workers escalated their actions with full-day strikes at IKEA stores in Haarlem, Utrecht, Groningen, and Delft.

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These efforts prompted IKEA to invite FNV back to the negotiation table but disappointingly, the company has not improved upon its initial offer.

With IKEA refusing to budge, FNV is planning further actions to amplify workers’ demands. Danielle Wiek, FNV Handel official said:

“Despite previous actions and strikes, IKEA Netherlands management still refuses to offer workers a fair and decent collective agreement. We will continue to take action until our demands are met. The current wage offer of 2.4 per cent is simply unacceptable. IKEA workers must be able to afford their rent and groceries. Every wave starts with a movement and together we will make this wave bigger and stronger until we achieve the fair treatment and compensation we deserve.”

As the battle continues, IKEA workers supported by FNV are determined to stand their ground until they secure fair pay and workplace protections.

Mathias Bolton Head of Commerce at UNI Global Union expressed solidarity with FNV:

"IKEA workers in the Netherlands are making a stand not just for themselves but for all workers fighting against corporate cutbacks and unfair wages. UNI Global Union fully supports FNV and the courageous IKEA employees who are taking action to demand dignity respect and a fair wage. IKEA is a highly profitable company it must do better by its workers. "