In Westland, the heart of Dutch horticulture with greenhouses in places such as 's-Gravenzande, Naaldwijk and Monster, the transitional compensation is essential for seasonal and permanent employees. The calculation follows the statutory formula: for each full year of service 1/3 monthly salary, with a maximum of €94,000 or an annual salary in 2025. Use the gross salary including holiday pay and fixed allowances such as shift work compensations, excluding variable bonuses from harvest premiums.
Example 1: A greenhouse worker from Poeldijk with 6 years of service and €3,000 monthly salary. Calculation: (6 x 1/3 x €3,000) = €6,000. Example 2: An experienced cultivation manager in Honselersdijk with 15 years of service and €4,500 salary: (10 x 1/3 x €4,500) + (5 x 1/2 x €4,500) = €11,250 (note the transition rule for years of service before 2020). Partial years, such as a half season in chrysanthemum cultivation, count pro rata.
Use the online calculation tool of the Government for precise amounts, or consult the collective labour agreement for horticulture which often offers more favourable rules for Westland employers. In case of dismissal during maternity leave or illness, protection rules apply, but the calculation remains the same. Employers in Westland must pay the compensation within one month after dismissal. In the local collective labour agreements, such as that of Glastuinbouw Nederland, a higher compensation may have been agreed, which takes precedence.
Tip: Keep your payslips from Westland greenhouse companies as evidence. In case of disputes, you can go to the subdistrict court in The Hague within two months after dismissal, which handles many Westland cases.