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Salary increase in t...

Salary increase in the metal and technology 2026

24 March 2026

Why Changes in the Metal and Technology Collective Labor Agreement?

A CAO, or Collective Labor Agreement, is a written agreement between employers and employees about important matters such as wages, working hours, and holidays. These agreements apply to an entire sector, such as metal and technology. Because the previous CAO expires or because new agreements are needed, trade unions and employer organizations regularly negotiate a new CAO.
And that is what has happened recently for the metal and technology CAO. After negotiations, a negotiation result has been reached for the new metal and technology CAO. What does this mean for you as an employee? Let's go through the most important changes!

More Salary as of March 2026

The CAO has a term of 24 months, from February 1, 2026, up to and including January 31, 2028. The following wage increases have been agreed upon:

  • 3% wage increase as of March 1, 2026.
  • A one-time gross payment of €132 in November 2026.
  • A structural gross increase of €115 per month as of March 1, 2027. This amounts to approximately 3.2% for an average salary in the sector.

Early Retirement for Physically Demanding Jobs Remains Possible

For employees performing strenuous work, there's good news regarding the early retirement scheme:

  • The RVU scheme (Early Retirement Scheme) will continue, and the benefit will increase by €300 to €2.657 gross per month.
  • The transition from the 'generatiepact' (generation pact) to RVU will be based on your original working hours, ensuring your RVU benefit is not reduced.
  • As of 2027, new, objective criteria for strenuous work will be introduced.
  • The CAO RVU has even been extended by five years, providing more long-term certainty.

Extra Holiday Hours for Older Employees

Are you between 55 and 57 years old? Then you'll get more flexibility with your extra holiday days:

  • You can now choose to have your extra holiday days paid out.
  • Prefer to keep the time off? That's also an option, of course. The choice is entirely yours.
  • Even after the age of 65, you are entitled to extra leave until you reach the state pension (AOW) age. This has now been clearly and permanently established.

Other Benefits

The new CAO also fully focuses on employee development and well-being:

  • More attention and funding will be allocated to training, development, and master craftsmen/mentors.
  • Strong commitment to sustainable employability.
  • Extra focus on healthy and safe working conditions and prevention.

This contributes to an attractive sector for both young and old.

These were the most important changes for you! Do you have any questions about what this means for you? Contact us, we're happy to help!

Working in the metal and technology sector? View all our vacancies here!

Salarisverhoging metaal en techniek 2026 - Dujob

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