Sales of beer in the Netherlands
(in millions of hectolitres)
6.6 6.6 6.8 6.9 7.1
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980
Sales of beer in the rest of Europe
Brewed under the supervision of Heineken (in millions of hectolitres)
6.2 6.1 6.6 7.1 7.1
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980
The collective labour agreement which was concluded
during the financial year with the workers' organizations
was retroactive to January 1, 1980, and is to run for a
period of two years.
During the period under review a memorandum 'Social
Policy and Long-term Plan' was drawn up and put for
ward for discussion in the consultative bodies of the
enterprise in the Netherlands. This memorandum pro
vides a framework for the further development of our
policy on conditions of employment in the narrow and the
broad sense, both in the material and in the non-material
sphere.
The consultation on the basis of the new Works Councils
Act generally proceeded along positive lines, apart from
differences of interpretation with regard to the respons-
ability of various Councils.
During 1980 periodical consultation took place with the
Senior Heineken Staff Association.
Personnel recruitment gave rise to fewer problems in
1980, broadly speaking, than in previous years. The
sluggish growth reduced the demand for personnel,
which led to a certain degree of stabilization.
In the years ahead changes will occur in the tasks and
functions of certain groups of employees. The reasons
for this are the continuing automation, the increase in the
scale of operations, and developments in society.
As regards remuneration, we believe that the very good
employee will find it increasingly difficult to put up with
the same reward for his efforts as colleagues who per
form less. In order to avoid a complete blurring of distinc
tions, we are in favour of a form of remuneration accord
ing to performance appropriate to this day and age.
In order to achieve the so essential improvement in
labour productivity, it will similarly be necessary to call a
halt to the mainly politically inspired urge towards level
ling of incomes. This process has already progressed so
far that higher income groups will more and more
strongly oppose a further equalization in the field of re
muneration.
In order to restrict noise nuisance at work, a programme
for protection of hearing has been drawn up. In this
connection allowance has been made in the Netherlands
for the future Conditions of Work Act. Employees who
are exposed to noise are regularly tested, inter
audiometrically.
In view of the limited possibilities for adaptation of the
existing installations, the wearing of hearing protection
aids remains necessary for the time being. By means of
counselling and information we are seeking to convince
the employees concerned of this necessity.
In France the beer market suffered from the poor
weather. Of our brands, only Heineken and Mützig Old
Lager developed better than the market as a whole. The
rises in costs could not be sufficiently offset by price
increases.
We are seeking more clearly than before to manifest
ourselves in the French market under the Heineken
identity. All activities in France are now carried on by
Heineken France S.A., whilst Alsacienne de Brasse
rie S.A. (Albra) has in the meantime been liquidated.
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