Court ruling strengthens the Cao Particuliere Beveiliging – implications for working conditions, market structure and collective bargaining autonomy in the Netherlands

On 30 July 2025, the District Court of The Hague handed down an important ruling for the Dutch security industry: the attempt by the Vereniging Veiligheidsdomein Nederland (VVNL) and the trade union AVV to prevent the existing collective agreement for the industry, the Cao Particuliere Beveiliging (Cao PB), from becoming generally binding was rejected. This clears the way for the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) to declare this collective agreement binding for the entire sector in the future.

This decision strengthens the Nederlandse Veiligheidsbranche (NVB) and its collective bargaining partnership with FNV, CNV and De Unie, which jointly represent the Cao PB. The attempt by VVNL and AVV to operate in parallel with an alternative collective agreement structure via the ‘Cao Veiligheidsdomein’ has been rejected by the court.

A collective agreement for all – focus on stability and fair competition

The court ruling reaffirms that the Cao PB is the authoritative basis for working conditions in the private security sector in the Netherlands. NVB chairman Ard van der Steur welcomed the ruling, saying, ‘This ruling provides clarity: the Cao PB remains the benchmark for fair working conditions. Now we can finally focus on the further development of our profession.’

Central to the decision was also the rejection of the VVNL’s allegations of ‘unlawful action’ by the Ministry or the NVB’s collective bargaining parties. The court found no violation of collective law and ruled in favour of an end to the continued but futile legal attempts to block the agreement.

VVNL: Criticism of lack of collective bargaining plurality and announced countermeasures

VVNL expressed disappointment and announced legal action, including a possible grounds lawsuit or an application for company exemption. Director Leon Vincken criticised the decision for ignoring diversity within the industry: ‘Our members are calling for a collective bargaining landscape that reflects the reality of the security sector – flexible, professional and differentiated.’

However, the court acknowledged that the alternative collective agreement (Cao Veiligheidsdomein) could become generally binding if the Cao PB loses the necessary representativeness in the future. This represents a possible opening, but currently leaves no room for manoeuvre.

Market relevance for Dutch security companies and clients

The imminent general applicability of the Cao PB means that uniform minimum wage standards will apply to all security companies in the Netherlands. This affects:

• Remuneration, working hours and social benefits for security personnel
• Tendering and contract design for public and private clients
• Competitive conditions, as price competition based on lower wages will be prevented

For internal security services of large companies, international providers and technology-oriented security service providers in particular, this means a new legal basis that raises barriers to market entry, but at the same time creates long-term planning security and fair framework conditions.

Conclusion: Legal certainty and industry consolidation in the interests of professional security work

The ruling by the court in The Hague marks a turning point in the Dutch security sector. The introduction of a uniform, generally binding collective agreement is a significant step towards professionalising the sector. At the same time, it is a clear call to all market participants to commit to binding standards and refrain from parallel collective bargaining structures.

With this development, the Netherlands is also positioning itself internationally as a country with a clearly regulated and socially secure security industry – a model that could set a precedent in times of growing demands on private security services.

Source: Based on a report by Beveiligingnieuws.nl, published on 30 July 2025: Weg vrij voor NVB om cao PB algemeen bindend te laten verklaren