ABSTRACT
The Dutch construction industry exhibits a combination of continuity and change. The industry’s historical imprint has created its current profile, which includes a prominent role for productive craftsmanship and vocational training, the dominance of small and medium-sized enterprises, a high level of self-organization and self-regulation of the product market and labor market in the industry through the partnership of employers and employees, the close relationship of the industry with the State, and the relatively hard physical labor conditions. In comparison with other countries, the Dutch construction industry performs quite well, due to a number of labor market institutions and practices, such as industry-wide collective bargaining, training institutions, and health and safety regulations.
