Here is my coloquial translation of this Dutch:

A difficult but a necessary decision

“It was certainly not an easy decision. But in the drastic and damaged economic times in which we are placed, with a sombre outlook, Shell has also to deal with different circumstances. We must be prepared.” So spoke President-Director Peter de Wit commenting on the decision to freeze salaries – this applies to all employees who are not covered by a CAO and who are in Salary Groups 15 to B.

De Wit imagines that not all employees will have greeted this announcement with a welcome. “The Leadership team of Shell have discussed this decision at some length, but have still decided in the light of the economic circumstances to go ahead with it. A “Band Aid” on the wound is that inflation this year will be much lower than was originally thought”.

He said that the salary change this year for most employees will not be zero. In March the merit increase and the bonus for 2008 stands at 1.25%. “The BPF [Bonus] is the result of excellent results by the company in the last year from which we all benefit”.