View source for Willem Drees

{{short description|Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1948 to 1958}}
{{about||his grandson philosopher (born 1954)|Willem B. Drees}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Primary sources|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix     = [[Excellency|His Excellency]]
|name                 = Willem Drees
|image                = Willem Drees 1958.jpg
|caption              = Drees in 1958
|office               = [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]]
|term_start           = 7 August 1948
|term_end             = 22 December 1958
|monarch              = [[Wilhelmina of the Netherlands|Wilhelmina]] <br /> [[Juliana of the Netherlands|Juliana]]
|deputy               = {{collapsible list|title=''See list''|1= [[Josef van Schaik]] (1948–1951) <br /> [[Frans Teulings]] (1951–1952) <br /> Louis Beel (1952–1956) <br /> [[Teun Struycken (1906–1977)|Teun Struycken]] (1956–1958)}}
|predecessor          = [[Louis Beel]]
|successor            = Louis Beel
|office1              = [[List of Ministers of Finance of the Netherlands|Minister of Finance]]
|status1              = ''Ad interim''
|term_start1          = 1 July 1952
|term_end1            = 2 September 1952
|primeminister1       = ''Himself''
|predecessor1         = [[Piet Lieftinck]]
|successor1           = [[Jo van de Kieft]]
|office2              = [[List of Ministers of Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands|Minister of Colonial Affairs]]
|status2              = ''Ad interim''
|term_start2          = 15 March 1951
|term_end2            = 30 March 1951
|primeminister2       = ''Himself''
|predecessor2         = [[Johan van Maarseveen]]
|successor2           = Leonard Peters
|office3              = [[Leader of the Labour Party (Netherlands)|Leader of the Labour Party]]
|term_start3          = 9 February 1946
|term_end3            = 22 December 1958
|predecessor3         = ''Office established''
|successor3           = [[Jaap Burger]]
|office4              = [[Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands]]
|term_start4          = 25 June 1945
|term_end4            = 7 August 1948
|primeminister4       = [[Willem Schermerhorn]] <br /> (1945–1946) <br /> [[Louis Beel]] (1948)
|predecessor4         = [[Hendrik van Boeijen]] (1942)
|successor4           = [[Josef van Schaik]]
|office5              = [[List of Ministers of Social Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Social Affairs]]
|term_start5          = 25 June 1945
|term_end5            = 7 August 1948
|primeminister5       = [[Willem Schermerhorn]] <br /> (1945–1946) <br /> [[Louis Beel]] (1948)
|predecessor5         = [[Dolf Joekes]]
|successor5           = [[Frans Wijffels]]
|office6              = Leader of the [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Netherlands)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]]
|term_start6          = 14 May 1940
|term_end6            = 9 February 1946
|predecessor6         = [[Willem Albarda]]
|successor6           = ''Office discontinued''
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Additional positions}}
|office7              = Member of the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]
|term_start7          = 3 July 1956
|term_end7            = 3 October 1956
|term_start8          = 15 July 1952
|term_end8            = 2 September 1952
|term_start9          = 27 July 1948
|term_end9            = 10 August 1948
|term_start10         = 4 June 1946
|term_end10           = 4 July 1946
|term_start11         = 9 May 1933
|term_end11           = 25 June 1945
|office12             = [[Parliamentary leader]] in the <br /> [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]
|term_start12         = 10 August 1939
|term_end12           = 25 September 1945
|predecessor12        = [[Willem Albarda]]
|successor12          = [[Marinus van der Goes van Naters]]
|parliamentarygroup12 = [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Netherlands)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]]
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
|birth_date           = {{birth date|df=y|1886|07|05}}
|birth_place          = [[Amsterdam]], Netherlands
|death_date           = {{death date and age|df=y|1988|05|14|1886|07|05}}
|death_place          = [[The Hague]], Netherlands
|party                = [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] (1946–1971)
|otherparty           = [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Netherlands)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]] (1904–1946)
|relatives            = [[Willem Drees Jr.]] (son) <br /> [[Willem B. Drees]] (grandson) <br /> [[Jacques Wallage]] (grandson-in-law)
|residence            = 
|alma_mater           = [[Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences|Amsterdam Public Trade School]] ([[Bachelor of Accountancy|B.Acc]])
|occupation           = Politician · civil servant · Accountant · [[Shorthand|Stenographer]] · Historian · Author
|signature            = Signature Willem Drees.png
}}

'''Willem Drees Sr.''' ({{Audio|Nl-Willem Drees.ogg|Dutch pronunciation}}; 5 July 1886 – 14 May 1988) was a Dutch politician of the [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Netherlands)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]] (SDAP) and later co-founder of the [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] (PvdA) and historian who served as [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]] from 7 August 1948 to 22 December 1958.<ref name="parlement.com"/>

Drees was elected to the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]] for the SDAP in the [[1933 Dutch general election|1933 general election]]. He succeeded [[Willem Albarda]] as party leader in 1940 and, following the end of [[World War II]], was appointed [[Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Deputy Prime Minister]] and [[List of Ministers of Social Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Social Affairs]] in the [[National unity government|national unity]] [[Schermerhorn–Drees cabinet]]. In February 1946, Drees was one of the co-founders of the Labour Party and became its first [[Leader of the Labour Party (Netherlands)|leader]]. After the [[1948 Dutch general election|1948 general election]], Drees became [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Prime Minister]] of the [[Drees–Van Schaik cabinet]].<ref name="Biography Willem Drees"/>

The Drees-Van Schaik cabinet fell on 24 January 1951 and after a short cabinet formation was replaced by the [[first Drees cabinet]], with Drees continuing as Prime Minister. For the [[1952 Dutch general election|1952 general election]], Drees served again as lead candidate and following a successful cabinet formation formed the [[second Drees cabinet]] and continued as Prime Minister for a second term. For the [[1956 Dutch general election|1956 general election]] Drees once again served as lead candidate and following another cabinet formation formed the [[third Drees cabinet]] and continued as Prime Minister for a third term. The third Drees cabinet fell on 11 December 1958 and shortly thereafter Drees announced his retirement and would step down as leader and would not serve another term as prime minister. Drees left office upon the installation of the [[Caretaker government|caretaker]] [[second Beel cabinet]] on 22 December 1958.

Drees was known for his abilities as a skilful team leader and effective manager. From 1948 to 1958, his four cabinets were mostly praised and supported by the largest parties in the Netherlands.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Rietbergen |first=P. J. A. N. |title=A Short History of the Netherlands: From Prehistory to the Present Day |publisher=Bekking |year=2000 |isbn=90-6109-440-2 |edition=4th |location=Amersfoort |pages=151 |oclc=52849131}}</ref> During his premiership, his cabinets were responsible for several major social reforms to [[Algemene Ouderdomswet|social security]], [[Welfare state|welfare]], [[child benefit]]s and [[Education in the Netherlands|education]], overseeing the [[Decolonization of Asia|decolonization]] of the [[Dutch East Indies]] following the [[Indonesian National Revolution]], the fallout of the [[Dutch annexation of German territory after the Second World War|annexation of former German territory]] and dealing with several major crises such as the [[North Sea flood of 1953]] and [[Greet Hofmans|Hofmans scandal]].

Drees retired from active politics at 72 but continued to be active as a valued historian and prolific author and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government. Drees was granted the honorary title of [[Minister of State (Netherlands)|Minister of State]] on 22 December 1958 and continued to comment on political affairs as a statesman until his death in May 1988. He holds the record as the [[List of prime ministers of the Netherlands|fourth longest-serving]] and longest-lived Prime Minister at {{Age in years|1886|07|05|1988|05|14|df=y}} and his premiership is consistently [[Historical rankings of prime ministers of the Netherlands|regarded]] both by scholars and the public to have been one of the best in Dutch history.<ref>{{Cite web|language=nl|url=http://www.geschiedenis24.nl/nieuws/2006/januari/Willem-Drees-gekozen-tot-D-premier-na-WO-II.html|title=Willem Drees gekozen tot 'Dé premier na WO II'|website=Geschiedenis24.nl|date=15 January 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2013/09/28/nrc-enquete-drees-en-lubbers-beste-premiers-sinds-1900/|title=NRC-enquête: Drees en Lubbers beste premiers sinds 1900|work=NRC Handelsblad|date=28 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ioresearch.nl/actueel/mark-rutte-gezien-als-beste-premier-sinds-woii|work=I&O Research|title= Mark Rutte gezien als beste premier sinds WOII |first=Peter|last=Kanne|date=13 March 2020}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
[[File:Willem Drees 1908.jpg|thumb|left|Drees in 1908]]
Willem Drees was born in [[Amsterdam]] on 5 July 1886 in an orthodox [[Dutch Reformed Church|reformed]] middle-class family. His father Johannes Michiel Drees, a banker and supporter of [[Abraham Kuyper]], died when Drees was five years old, which left his mother Anna Sophia van Dobbenburgh, his two siblings and himself in a precarious financial situation. Drees could continue studying thanks to the support of his uncle Frits. He attended the three-year {{lang|nl|[[Hogere Burgerschool]]}} (HBS), supplemented by the two final grades of the [[Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences|Amsterdam Public Trade School]]. Drees grew up attending [[Sunday school]] and [[catechism]], but rejected the Christian creed at the age of eighteen.<ref name="Biography Willem Drees"/><ref name="Van der Steen">{{cite journal |last1=Van der Steen |first1=Paul |date=2006 |title='Het is allemaal zoo geleidelijk en vanzelf gegaan.' De 'jonge' jaren van Willem Drees |url=https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_bio001200601_01/_bio001200601_01_0030.php |journal=Biografie Bulletin |volume=16 |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>

He developed an interest in political and social affairs at this time, such as the [[Boer Wars]] and the [[Dreyfus affair]]. At the Trade School, he met the sons of diamond workers who were united in the [[General Diamond Workers' Union of the Netherlands]], the most politically and socially developed social democratic labour union at the time. At the age of sixteen, Drees became a member of the Dutch Association for the Abolition of Alcoholic Beverages, and would remain a [[Teetotalism|teetoler]] for the rest of his life. After attending a speech of [[Pieter Jelles Troelstra]] following his election victory in Amsterdam in December 1902, Drees became a [[Democratic socialism|democratic socialist]]. He joined the [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Netherlands)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]] (SDAP) on his eighteenth birthday.<ref name="Biography Willem Drees"/><ref name="Van der Steen"/><ref name=Tromp>{{cite book |last=Tromp |first=Bart |date=2012 |chapter=Drees en het democratisch socialisme (1988) |title=De loden bal van het socialisme |url=https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/trom003lode01_01/trom003lode01_01_0018.php}}</ref>

Near the conclusion of Drees' time at the Trade School, the school's principal offered Drees a position at a brewery, but he refused due to his opposition to alcoholic beverages. Instead, after obtaining his [[Bachelor of Accountancy]] degree in 1903, he started working as a bank teller for the {{ill|Twentsche Bank|nl}} in Amsterdam in July 1903. This work did not satisfy him, however, and he rejected an offer by his uncle Frits for a career in brokerage and insurance. In July 1906, Drees quit his job at the Twentsche Bank and pursued his passion, becoming a [[Court reporter|stenographer]] at the municipal council of [[Amsterdam]], and then at the [[States General of the Netherlands]] in [[The Hague]] from January 1907 until August 1919.<ref name="Biography Willem Drees"/><ref name="Van der Steen"/>

==Political involvement==
{{Progressivism sidebar}}
=== Local politics ===
Drees became a member of the executive committee of the SDAP's [[The Hague]] branch in 1910, and the following year, at the age of 25, he was elected as the branch's chairman, a position he would keep until 1931. He was first elected to the [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|municipal council]] of The Hague in 1913, and would keep his seat until 1941. In 1919, Drees became the city's second social democratic [[alderman]], alongside [[Willem Albarda]]. He was responsible for [[social affairs]] until 1931, and for finance and public works after that. In this period, Drees supported the broad coalition that governed the municipality, and was a proponent of a pragmatic, reformist course for the party; he had not supported Troelstra in his call for revolution in the [[Red Week (Netherlands)|Red Week]] in 1918.<ref name=Tromp/> For 22 years, between 1919 and 1941, Drees also held a seat in the [[Provincial Council of South Holland]].

Drees was asked to succeed [[Willem Vliegen]] as the SDAP's national chairman in 1926 and he reluctantly accepted, but after the party's secretary and several local branches protested his nomination at the party congress of that year due to Drees' limited national fame, he withdrew his nomination. The following year, however, he became a member of the national SDAP executive, where he would remain until the party's dissolution in 1946.<ref name="Biography Willem Drees">{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.iisg.nl/bwsa/bios/drees.html Biography Willem Drees] ''BWSA''</ref><ref name="Van der Steen"/>

=== House of Representatives ===
Drees was elected to the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]] in the [[1933 Dutch general election|1933 general election]], taking office on 9 May 1933 and simultaneously resigning as alderman of The Hague. He served as a [[frontbencher]] and spokesperson for social affairs. In the context of the [[Great Depression]], he was a proponent of an active crisis policy of industrial planning and the execution of large-scale public works; he saw industrialisation as the structural solution to mass unemployment. Sooner than other prominent SDAP members, he advocated the devolution of the [[Dutch guilder]]. He also strongly opposed the activities of the [[National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands]] and other anti-democratic movements, stating in 1935 that fascists are not opponents but enemies. He likewise rejected cooperation with the [[Communist Party of the Netherlands]].<ref name="Biography Willem Drees"/><ref name="Van der Steen"/> After the SDAP's parliamentary leader [[Willem Albarda]] was appointed [[List of Ministers of Infrastructure of the Netherlands|Minister of Water Management]] in the [[second De Geer cabinet]], Drees was selected to succeed him, becoming parliamentary leader on 10 August 1939.

=== World War II ===
Shortly after the [[German invasion of the Netherlands]], Albarda announced he was stepping down as party leader, and Drees was unanimously selected as his successor on 14 May 1940. During the German occupation, Drees was taken hostage in [[Buchenwald concentration camp]] on 7 October 1940. On 7 October 1941, he was moved to [[Kamp Sint-Michielsgestel]], but he was released on 11 May 1942 due to poor health.<ref name="parlement.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.parlement.com/id/vg09ll01jztw/w_willem_drees |title=Dr. W. (Willem) Drees|website=[[Parlement.com]]|access-date=25 January 2021|language=nl}}</ref> After his release, Drees played a prominent role as vice chairman and acting chairman of the illegal Executive Committee of the SDAP, and as a prominent participant in secret interparty consultations. In 1944, he became chairman of the ''Contact Commissie van de Illegaliteit'' and a member of the ''College van Vertrouwensmannen'', which the government-in-exile charged with the preparation of steps to be taken at the time of liberation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oorlogsbronnen.nl/thema/Vaderlandsch%20Comit%C3%A9 |title=Vaderlandsch Comité|website=Oorlogs Bronnen|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref>

=== Deputy Prime Minister ===
Following the end of [[World War II]], Drees was appointed as [[List of Ministers of Social Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Social Affairs]] and [[Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Deputy Prime Minister]] in the [[National unity government|national unity]] [[Schermerhorn–Drees cabinet]], taking office on 25 June 1945. In February 1946, he was one of the co-founders of the [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] (PvdA) and became its first [[Leader of the Labour Party (Netherlands)|Leader]]. For the [[1946 Dutch general election|1946 general election]], Drees served as one of the [[lead candidate]]s, and following the [[1946 Dutch cabinet formation|1946 cabinet formation]] continued his offices in the [[first Beel cabinet]]. For the [[1948 Dutch general election|1948 general election]], Drees again served as one of the PvdA's lead candidates, and following a successful cabinet formation with the [[Catholic People's Party]], he formed the [[Drees–Van Schaik cabinet]], with Drees becoming [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]], taking office on 7 August 1948.<ref name="Biography Willem Drees"/>

===Prime Minister ===
From 7 August 1948 to 22 December 1958, Drees was [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]] in four successive cabinets: the [[Drees–Van Schaik cabinet]], the [[first Drees cabinet]], the [[second Drees cabinet]] and the [[third Drees cabinet]]. From 1948 to 1958, his four cabinets were mostly praised and supported by the largest parties in the Netherlands.<ref name=":02"/> As [[Roman/Red]] coalitions, they were formed by the [[Catholic People's Party]], the Labour Party and the [[Christian Historical Union]] (CHU), supplemented by the [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] (VVD) until 1952, and the [[Anti-Revolutionary Party]] (ARP) from 1952 on.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dutch politics V - Roman or red? |url=https://www.quirksmode.org/politics/romanred.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.quirksmode.org}}</ref>

His period in office saw at least four major political developments: the traumas of decolonisation, [[economic reconstruction]], the establishment of the Dutch [[welfare state]],<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Common Destiny: A Comparative History of the Dutch, French, and German Social Democratic Parties, 1945–1969|author=Orlow, D.|date=2000|publisher=Berghahn Books|isbn=9781571812254|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b_fe3zrZIP0C&pg=PA120|page=120|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="google2">{{cite book|title=Heads of States and Governments Since 1945|author=Lentz, H.M.|date=2014|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9781134264902|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D6HKAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA578|page=578|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> and international integration and co-operation, including the formation of [[Benelux]], the [[OEEC]], [[NATO]], the [[European Coal and Steel Community]], and the [[European Economic Community]].

[[File:Benelux-conferentie in Den Haag van 10 tm 12 maart 1949 in de vergaderzaal van , Bestanddeelnr 903-2601.jpg|thumb|Belgian Prime Minister [[Paul-Henri Spaak]], Luxembourgish Prime Minister [[Pierre Dupong]] and Drees at a [[Benelux]] conference, 10 March 1949]]

A wide range of social reforms were carried out during Drees's tenure as prime minister. In social security, the Occupational Pensions Funds Act of March 1949 made membership of industry-wide pension funds compulsory, while the [[Algemene Ouderdomswet|General Old Age Pensions Act]] of May 1956 introduced universal flat-rate old age pensions for all residents as a right and with no retirement condition at the age of 65. The Retired Persons' Family Allowances Act of November 1950 established a special allowance for pensioned public servants with children (abolished in 1963), a law of November 1950 extended compulsory health insurance to cover other groups such as old-age and invalidity pensioners, and a law of December 1956 introduced health insurance with special low contributions for old-aged pensioners below a certain income ceiling. A law of August 1950 established equal rights for illegitimate children, and introduced an allowance for disabled children between the ages of 16 and 20. This law also introduced monthly (previously annual) fixing of the number of children for whom allowances are claimable. The Temporary Family Allowances Act for the Self-employed of June 1951 entitled self-employed persons with low incomes to family allowance for the first and second child (abolished in 1963), and a law of February 1952 introduced an allowance for studying and for disabled children until the age of 27.<ref name="ReferenceA">Growth to Limits: The Western European Welfare States Since World War II, Volume 2 edited by Peter Flora.</ref> In 1949, an unemployment insurance act was passed that came into effect in 1952. This contained redundancy pay insurance "for an initial short period of unemployment and the actual unemployment insurance for the period thereafter."<ref>[https://www.parlementairemonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvij5epmj1ey0/vjfbczms0mrf Memorie van toelichting - Wijziging van verschillende wetten in verband met de hervorming van het ontslagrecht, wijziging van de rechtspositie van flexwerkers en wijziging van verschillende wetten in verband met het aanpassen van de Werkloosheidswet, het verruimen van de openstelling van de Wet inkomensvoorziening oudere werklozen en de beperking van de toegang tot de Wet inkomensvoorziening oudere en gedeeltelijk arbeidsongeschikte werkloze werknemers (Wet werk en zekerheid)]</ref> 

In 1949, an Artist Subsidy Scheme was introduced, under which artists "lacking sufficient income from their profession received a financial provision for a certain time allowing them to continue working."<ref>[https://bulletin.rkd.nl/en/2021-2/monument-artist-subsidy-scheme-history-controversial-artist-scheme-1949-1987/ A monument to the Artist Subsidy Scheme. The history of a controversial artist scheme (1949-1987) Fransje Kuyvenhoven]</ref> A Law of 22 June 1950 established the ''Praeventiefonds'' with the task of making funds available "to take measures aimed at preventing disease or promoting health."<ref>Nederlandsch tijdschrift voor geneeskunde, Volume 97, Page 109</ref> From 1950 to 1957, the ''Praeventiefonds'' received a separate budget "from the Equalization Fund for supplementary nutrition for TB patients curing at home."<ref>[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0019087/2005-12-31 Besluit vaststelling selectielijst neerslag handelingen Prophylaxefonds (Sociale Zekerheid &#91;...&#93; (Volksgezondheidsubsidies 1950–1998)]</ref> Under the Accident Pension Supplement Act of 26 May 1950, "in certain cases persons who received an annuity or benefit under one of the Accident Acts were granted a supplement to their annuity or benefit."<ref>[https://repository.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/handle/2066/148376/mmubn000001_02772509x.pdf Europese Coördinatie van Invaliditeits- en Weduwenverzekeringen R.C. CORNELISSEN, P.67]</ref> One journal at that the time commented on the provisions of this law: "The law supplementing accident benefits came into force on 12 June 1950. Pursuant to this law, a contribution of 25% is granted on annuities under the Accidents Act 1921 and the Agriculture and Horticulture Accidents Act 1921, which annuities are calculated on the basis of a loss of fitness to work of more than 25%, if these annuities have been or will be awarded, in connection with an accident, that took place before 1 January 1947 and the person affected was compulsorily insured on the day of the accident. The same allowance is given on the annuities under the Maritime Accidents Act, if these benefits have been or will be awarded in connection with an accident that took place before 1 January 1946. Furthermore, the [[List of ministers of social affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Social Affairs]] has determined that a married woman who is the breadwinner for her husband or for one or more children under the age of 16 is entitled to the allowance, unless her husband already derives rights under the law. The supplement does not apply to those who had an accident after the above dates. Their basic wages, on which interest is calculated, are higher."<ref>[https://www.uvh.nl/uvh.nl/up/ZyhszmbKsuB_Humanitas_1950_9_September.pdf HUMANITAS 5e Jaargang No 9 – September 1950, P.8]</ref>

[[File:Generaal Eisenhower bij Dr. Drees en Minister s Jacob, Bestanddeelnr 904-3916.jpg|thumb|left|Newly appointed [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]], General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], and Drees at the [[Ministry of Defence (Netherlands)|Ministry of Defence]], 11 January 1951]]
{{Social democracy sidebar}}
The Pension and Savings Funds Act (PSW) of 1952 improved the vulnerable position of employees in private companies "by obliging the employer who had promised a pension to his employee to cover the pension risk he assumed, either with a pension fund or with an insurance company." However, the Act "does not oblige the employer to promise a pension: in contrast to the salary, to which the employee is entitled in all cases (cf. Article 1637 g of the Civil Code), the employee is only entitled to a pension if this has been promised."<ref>Pensioen en privaatrecht by Th. L J. Bod, P.13</ref> An Act of 29 September 1955, Stb. 456, amending the Poor Law, introduced an amended regulation regarding the domicile of social assistance, or for the payment of the costs of nursing or care of the sick, disabled and elderly in the appropriate institutions. The aim of the amendment was to provide a more satisfactory arrangement for liability for costs.<ref>[https://repository.overheid.nl/frbr/sgd/19571958/0000272813/1/pdf/SGD_19571958_0002696.pdf ZITTING 1957—1958 — 523 0 Verslag over de verrichtingen aangaande het Armbestuur over de jaren 1955 en 1956 VERSLAG Nr. 2]</ref> In 1956, a Hungarian Refugee Assistance Scheme was introduced,<ref name="repository.overheid.nl">[https://repository.overheid.nl/frbr/sgd/19571958/0000272813/1/pdf/SGD_19571958_0002696.pdf ZITTING 1957—1958 — 523 0 Verslag over de verrichtingen aangaande het Armbestuur over de jaren 1955 en 1956 VERSLAG Nr. 2 P.17]</ref> along with Provision for the Blind (''Voorziening voor Blinden''). This provision recognized the blind as one of the groups in society entitled to a special benefit.<ref>Blind in een gidsland over de bejegening van mensen met een visuele beperking in de Nederlandse verzorgingsmaatschappij, 1920-1990 By Paul van Trigt, 2013, P.76</ref> In addition to the standard allowances for maintenance, which could be increased by a children's allowance,<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1956, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1958, P.162</ref> benefits tailored to the individual case could also be awarded, "such as expenses for the mental and cultural development of the blind person, costs of education or training and medical treatment or nursing of the blind person in his family."<ref name="repository.overheid.nl"/> In 1957, a new social health insurance scheme for indigent pensioners was set up called ''bejaardenverzekering'' ("elderly insurance").<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113418 | title=Small steps, big change. Forging a public-private health insurance system in the Netherlands | year=2020 | last1=Bertens | first1=R.M. | last2=Vonk | first2=R.A.A. | journal=Social Science & Medicine | volume=266 | article-number=113418 | pmid=33065497 | s2cid=223557179 | doi-access=free }}</ref> In January 1958, legal aid was introduced.<ref>[https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/cijfers/detail/81243ned Overheid; sociale uitkeringen 1987 – 2013] (From Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek)</ref> The General Widows and Pensions Act was also drafted, which was passed under the [[second Beel cabinet]].<ref>Ideologues, Partisans, and Loyalists Ministers and Policymaking in Parliamentary Cabinets By Despina Alexiadou, 2016, P.205-206</ref>

In terms of working conditions, safety Regulations for Electric Passenger and Goods Lifts with a Cage that can be entered were introduced on 15 June 1949.<ref name="ilo.org">[http://www.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/P/09611/09611(1950-26).pdf INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SURVEY, VOLUME XXVI, 1950]</ref> A Decree further amending the Safety Decree for Factories and Workplaces, 1938 dated January 1950 "adds seven new Sections, 212-212 F to the Safety Decree of 1938. The new sections deal with construction, repair or demolition of buildings, foundations, water works, underground conduits and roads. In addition to general safety provisions, there are provisions concerning the construction and use of scaffolds, floors, gangways, stairs, gangplanks, etc., and hoisting appliances."<ref name="ilo.org"/> Other decrees were issued concerning working hours for various groups.<ref>[https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/2.15.42 2.15.42 Inventaris van de archieven van het Ministerie van Sociale Zaken, Afdeling Arbeid I, Afdeling Arbeidersbescherming, en enige commissies (1934) 1942-1961 (1964)]</ref> The Silicosis Act of 1951 sought "to prevent and combat dust lung diseases, such as silicosis, caused by inhalation of finely divided quartz dust, e.g. from sandblasting or sandstone processing, and asbestosis, caused by inhalation of asbestos dust."<ref>[https://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/onderzoek/resultaten/archieven?mivast=39&mizig=210&miadt=39&miaet=1&micode=1108&minr=2399556&miview=inv2 Uw zoekacties: Arbeidsinspectie Utrecht, vierde district 1941-1986]</ref> The Law on dangerous tools of 5 March 1952 contained safety regulations with regard to dangerous tools and protection equipment.<ref>Centraal verslag der arbeidsinspectie in het koninkrijk der Nederlanden By Netherlands. Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Volksgezondheid, 1952, P.2</ref> In the legislative amendment of 19 January 1955, after a number of failed attempts, the regulation of working and rest times in agriculture was realized in the Labor Act 1919.<ref>[https://repository.overheid.nl/frbr/sgd/19931994/0000009458/1/pdf/SGD_19931994_0006700.pdf Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal Vergaderjaar 1993-1994 Bepalingen inzake de arbeids– en rusttijden (Arbeidstijdenwet), P.9]</ref> The Act of 18 June 1953 (Stb. 421) amended the provisions of the Labor Act 1919 on the night work of women and young persons. For instance, the time of commencement of the daily working hours for blue-collar workers under the age of 16 was raised from 5 to 6 hours, and the minimum night's rest for young people from 11 to 12 hours.<ref>Centraal verslag der arbeidsinspectie in het koninkrijk der Nederlanden By Netherlands, Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Volksgezondheid 1952, P.2</ref> A law of 6 August 1954 established a legal ban on industrial work for 14-year-old girls.<ref>Economisch-statistische berichten Volume 40, Issues 1960–2010 1955, P.451</ref> In 1950, works councils were established,<ref name="google3">{{cite book|title=Handbook of Research on Employee Voice: Elgar original reference|author1=Wilkinson, A.|author2=Donaghey, J.|author3=Dundon, T.|author4=Freeman, R.B.|date=2014|publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing|isbn=9780857939272|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cd9nAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA68|page=68|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> requiring all enterprises with more than 25 employees to allow their employees to elect representatives.<ref>Organizational Psychology by Pieter Johan Diederik Drenth, Henk Thierry, Charles Johannes Wolff, 2000, P.412</ref> The Industrial Reorganization Act of 1950 made it mandatory for workers to belong to an industrial organizations, which were bipartite associations that represented labor and management interests. These were primarily responsible for administering occupational security programs like disability and pensions. According to one study, "by making participation in the associations mandatory, Drees was able to vastly expand the scope of the workforce covered by social security programs, guaranteeing a greater degree of uniformity in the benefits workers received."<ref>Political Leaders of Contemporary Western Europe A Biographical Dictionary edited by David Wilsford1995, P.115</ref> Dismissal law was reformed in 1953, with a scheme introduced "that not only created the possibility of claiming compensation after a manifestly unreasonable dismissal, but also the so-called 'restoration of employment'."<ref>[https://www.navigator.nl/document/id788ecc80b62a44779d5b6ebcc3e3f227/arbeidsrecht-en-insolventie-monografieen-sociaal-recht-nr-75-2-6-herziening-ontslagrecht-in-1953?ctx=WKNL_CSL_2697 2.6 Herziening ontslagrecht in 1953, Mr. J. van der Pijl, datum 01-11-2018]</ref> A Royal Decree of the 1st of August 1953 introduced a 48-hour week for nursing personnel.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1953, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1955, P.199</ref> A royal decree of the 11th of August 1954 completed (as noted by one study) “the statutory regulation of working hours and periods of rest for the staff of warehouses, which up to 11 August 1954 applied only to warehouses annexed to factories or docks.”<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1954, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1956, P.211</ref> An Act of the 19th of January 1955 authorized the Crown to make regulations regarding hours of work and of rest.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1955, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1957, P.180</ref> A royal decree of the 21st of March 1956 introduced new safety regulations for threshing machines, straw balers and straw-binding machines, while a royal decree of the 23rd of March 1956 laid down (as noted by one study) “that lifts generally need to be provided with a certificate of approval. This certificate is issued only if certain conditions with regard to manufacture and safety protection have been complied with.” In addition, a royal decree of the 20th of July 1956 prohibited sandblasting.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1956, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1958, P.163</ref> A royal decree of the 20th of March 1957 contained measures aimed at safeguarding workers against ionizing radiations, while a royal decree of the 21st of June 1957 prohibited (from the 1st of October that year onwards) all work by young persons outside of normal working hours. A royal decree of the 30th of August 1957 prohibited certain categories of agricultural work for women and young persons,<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1957, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1959, P.189</ref> Also in 1957, the dismissal of female civil servants upon marriage was abolished.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nidi.knaw.nl/shared/content/output/2002/ssm-54-05-fokkema.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725171709/http://nidi.knaw.nl/shared/content/output/2002/ssm-54-05-fokkema.pdf | archive-date=2015-07-25|title=Combining a job and children: contrasting the health of married and divorced women in the Netherlands?}}</ref>

[[File:Maarschalk Alexandros Papagos (links), premier van Griekenland, ontvangen door m, Bestanddeelnr 091-0891.jpg|thumb|Greek Prime Minister [[Alexandros Papagos]], Drees and Greek Foreign Minister [[Stefanos Stefanopoulos]], 2 February 1954]]

In the field of housing, the Implementation for Rent Act (1950) fixed rents and rent increases, while the Regional and Town Planning Act (1950) regulated the planning of house building. In addition, the Reconstruction Act of 1950 established housebuilding programmes,<ref name="books.google.co.uk">{{cite book|title=Twentieth-Century Mass Society in Britain and the Netherlands|author1=Moore, B.|author2=van Nierop, H.|date=2006|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|isbn=9781845205256|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eMDUAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA60|page=60|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> and legislation was passed on house building standards (1951), the uniformity of buildings (1954), and uniform building standards (1956).<ref name="google4">{{cite book|title=Governance in Modern Society: Effects, Change and Formation of Government Institutions|author1=van Heffen, O.|author2=Kickert, W.J.M.|author3=Thomassen, J.|date=2013|publisher=Springer Netherlands|isbn=9789401594868|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TBhJCAAAQBAJ&pg=PT103|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> In 1953, a premium scheme for home improvement was set up by the government.<ref>[https://repository.overheid.nl/frbr/sgd/19531954/0000284162/1/pdf/SGD_19531954_0002072.pdf EERSTE KAMER DER STATEN-GENERAAL Zitting 1953—1954 No. 65a]</ref> From 1956 it was possible for low-income groups to obtain a mortgage guarantee.<ref>Maatschappelijke Dienstverlening Een onderzoek naar vijf Sectoren By Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regeringsbeleid, H. Dijstelbloem, P. L. Meurs, E. K. Schrijvers · 2004, P.80</ref> A decree of the 5th of June 1954 modified a building premium and subsidy decree for housing to the effect (as noted by one study) “that under certain conditions the State may grant subsidies to private corporations for the building of houses and homes for the aged.” It was also made possible for the State (as noted by one study) “to grant financial aid to building associations or municipalities for the building of houses and homes for the aged.”<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1954, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1956, P.211</ref> A decree was also introduced on the 19th November 1957 aimed at promoting living space. It provided for compensation for costs incurred by municipalities in making payments to those making alterations to property “with the intention of providing or continuing to provide more families with housing accommodation” as noted by one study, and those who, as noted by one study, “with the intention of making available more living space, free living space being used by them and thus incur costs for removal, refurnishing or storage.”<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1957, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1959, P.190</ref>

In education, measures were carried out such as increased expenditure on the system, a reduction in registration fees at state universities and at the institute of technology,<ref name="books.google.co.uk"/> and the granting (in January 1956) of a special benefit to primary school teachers and to certain categories of vocational teachers, "particularly those who risk being unemployed and who cannot lay claim to a retaining fee."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001329/132929eo.pdf |title=International yearbook of education, v. 18, 1956| access-date=2023-10-12}}</ref> From 1951 onwards government grants were provided to 'impoverished young people from very good study aptitude that met reasonable requirements of general development and civilization' (De Looper, 1997).<ref>Doorzetters Een onderzoek naar de betekenis van de arbeidersafkomst voor de levensloop en loopbaan van universitair afgestudeerden Mick Matthys, P.22</ref> An Act was introduced on the 9th of July 1953 which was designed (as noted by one study) “to protect pupils against the consequences of contagious diseases of the staff of all educational institutions,” with staff of educational institutions required to prove that they didn’t suffer from tuberculosis of the respiratory organs by possessing valid certificates to show this.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1953, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1955, P.200</ref> In 1954, the maximum amount of scholarships to be granted by the State was increased.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1953, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1955, P.200</ref>

In 1954, in regards to university education, the amount made available in the national budget for the granting of scholarships and interest-free loans was quadrupled.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1954, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1956, P.211-212</ref> A royal decree of the 30th of December 1955, aimed at staff teaching in primary schools, provided for (as noted by one study) “a claim to an indemnity for dismissal (in the event of reduction of staff), in so far as salary is not in any case payable pending re-employment.”<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1955, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1957, P.179</ref> An Act of the 24th of May 1956, together with a royal decree of the 18th of June 1956, provided for higher education tuition fees to be reduced in certain situations. A decree of the 8th of October 1956 provided rules that concerned the legal status of female teachers at nursery schools. Amongst other provisions, it provided for the payment of holiday allowances, entitlements during holidays, and sickness and survivors’ benefits.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1956, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1958, P.163</ref> A doubling of the deduction of costs for learning and studying children aged 16 to 27 from income and wealth tax was achieved, followed by a triple deduction for income, wage and wealth taxes for parents with studying children aged 16 to 27 who lived away from home and who were largely supported by their parents.<ref>[https://www.historici.nl/gb/de-basisbeurs-als-onbegrepen-erfenis/?type=bijdrage De basisbeurs als onbegrepen erfenis Door Pieter Slama]</ref> Courses were also instituted for girls in employment, one of the objects being (as noted by one study) “to prepare girls aged 16 and over who work in industry for the tasks which they will later have to perform as women in the community.”<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1952 UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1954, P.200</ref> A royal decree of the 15th of July 1957 increased salary standards for personnel in primary education and primary agricultural and horticultural education. A decree of the 5th of August 1957, as noted by one study, “created the possibility of subsidizing the education of children who are in sanatoria suffering or recovering from prolonged sickness.” The Building (Pre-elementary Education) Decree of the 6th of September 1957, as noted by one study, “contained minimum standards regarding construction and furnishing of the school buildings, as well as regarding the foundation and the number of pupils per room.”<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1957, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1959, P.189</ref> 

Other initiatives included secondary schools for girls and special primary education in 1949, teacher training colleges in 1952,<ref name="google5">{{cite book|title=Lower Technical Education in the Netherlands 1798–1993: The Rise and Fall of a Subsystem|author=Wolthuis, J.|date=1999|publisher=Coronet Books Incorporated|isbn=9789053508619|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lsXQ10o4ROMC&pg=PA202|page=202|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> the extension of compulsory education to eight years in 1950,<ref name="google6">{{cite book|title=The World of Child Labor: An Historical and Regional Survey|author=Hindman, H.D.|date=2009|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|isbn=9780765626479|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lrKec5YTVYAC&pg=PA635|page=635|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> the Nursery Education Act of 1955, which introduced the option of kindergarten for children from the age of four upwards, while also establishing regulations for nursery-school teachers,<ref name="ReferenceA">Growth to Limits: The Western European Welfare States Since World War II, Volume 2 edited by Peter Flora.</ref> an extension of technical education and the apprenticeship system,<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1952 UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1954, P.200</ref> and the Schoolfees Act of 1955, which abolished all fees up to the school-leaving age.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=5llFAQAAMAAJ and Secondary Education Act of 1965 Hearings Before the United States Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, Subcommittee on Education, Eighty-Ninth Congress, First Session · Parts 1–3 By United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Subcommittee on Education, 1965, P.545]</ref> 

A department of social welfare was also established (1952),<ref name="google4"/> employment facilities for the disabled were expanded and care for the blind received money.<ref>Het kabinet-Drees III (1952-1956). Barsten in de brede basis Redactie: Carla van Baalen en Jan Ramakers, P.108</ref> In 1952, a policy framework was set up for dealing with "problem families," such as subsidies for pillarized family care and social development work in the cities.<ref>Gezien de dreigende onrust in de haven--
de ontwikkeling van de arbeidsverhoudingen in de Rotterdamse haven, 1945-1965 By Erik Nijhof, 1988, P.41</ref> That same year, the [[Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment|Ministry of Social Affairs]] began granting subsidies "to promote the employment of the blind, on the one hand through contributions for individual cases (purchase or conversion of equipment, transport, etc.), on the other hand through subsidizing the work facilities of the blind." Following on from schemes for the blind, equal provisions for other handicapped persons were established in 1955 and 1958.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.handelingenbank.info/infobronnen/089%20Sociale%20voorzieningen/RIO/089%20RIO%202005%20juli.pdf |title=Sociale Voorzieningen deel 2 Een herzien institutioneel onderzoek op het beleidsterrein sociale zekerheid ten aanzien van de sociale voorzieningen, (1940-) 1996 – 2004, P.68 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409101716/https://www.handelingenbank.info/infobronnen/089%20Sociale%20voorzieningen/RIO/089%20RIO%202005%20juli.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> From 1953, subsidies to voluntary agencies serving the physically and the mentally handicapped were included in the budget of the Ministry of Culture, Recreation, and Social Welfare, when they were introduced as an experiment that year.<ref>The Nonprofit Sector in International Perspective Studies in Comparative Culture and Policy By Estelle James Professor of Economics State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1989, P.218</ref> In addition, "Government care for passengers on inland vessels started with the establishment of the Social Commission for Boatmen in 1956."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.handelingenbank.info/infobronnen/089%20Sociale%20voorzieningen/RIO/089%20RIO%202005%20juli.pdf |title=Sociale Voorzieningen deel 2 Een herzien institutioneel onderzoek op het beleidsterrein sociale zekerheid ten aanzien van de sociale voorzieningen, (1940-) 1996 – 2004, P.139 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409101716/https://www.handelingenbank.info/infobronnen/089%20Sociale%20voorzieningen/RIO/089%20RIO%202005%20juli.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Water Supply Act of 1957 sought to achieve sanitation in terms of drinking water quality.<ref>The Evolution of National Water Regimes in Europe Transitions in Water Rights and Water Policies, Stefan Kuks, Ingrid Kissling-Näf, 2004</ref> In 1957, "the task of the Central Commission for Cultural Work in Labor Camps (CCCA) was modified and expanded and at the same time the Provincial and Local Committees were abolished. The task of the CCCA was formulated as the promotion of the cultural interests of workers, group-housed in housing estates whose operation and/or management falls under the care of the minister and, if necessary, other groups of workers, group-housed outside their places of residence."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.handelingenbank.info/infobronnen/089%20Sociale%20voorzieningen/RIO/089%20RIO%202005%20juli.pdf |title=Sociale Voorzieningen deel 2 Een herzien institutioneel onderzoek op het beleidsterrein sociale zekerheid ten aanzien van de sociale voorzieningen, (1940-) 1996 – 2004, P.136 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409101716/https://www.handelingenbank.info/infobronnen/089%20Sociale%20voorzieningen/RIO/089%20RIO%202005%20juli.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Health Act of 1956 contained new legal regulations concerning regarding the organization of public health care,<ref>[https://www.parlementairemonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvij5epmj1ey0/vi32nlpngzym BWBR0002202 – wet Gezondheidswet]</ref> while the Medicines Supply Act of 28 July 1958, contained new regulations "regarding the supply of medicines and the practice of medical preparation."<ref>[https://maxius.nl/wet-op-de-geneesmiddelenvoorziening/artikel1/ Artikel 1 Wet op de geneesmiddelenvoorziening]</ref>

In addition, a number of 'regulation laws' were passed through parliament including the Insurance Brokerage Act, the Shop Closing Act (including some twenty amendments), development plans for disadvantaged areas and the Credit System Supervision Act.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ru.nl/publish/pages/654057/0045_-_het_kabinet_drees_ii_-_deel_4.pdf |title=Het kabinet-Drees II In de schaduw van de Koreacrisis J.J.M. Ramakers (ed.) P.743 |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416155231/https://www.ru.nl/publish/pages/654057/0045_-_het_kabinet_drees_ii_-_deel_4.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, full legal capacity for married women was introduced.<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1956, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 1958, P.164</ref>

The third Drees cabinet fell on 11 December 1958 and shortly thereafter Drees announced his retirement from politics. Drees left office upon the installation of the [[Caretaker government|caretaker]] [[second Beel cabinet]] on 22 December 1958.

=== Post premiership ===
He was granted the honorary title of [[Minister of State (Netherlands)|Minister of State]] on 22 December 1958 and continued to comment on political affairs as a statesman until his death in May 1988 at the age of 101. He continued to be active as a valued historian and prolific author and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government. The [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] appointed him a member of its Executive Council for life in 1959. Due to impaired hearing he stopped attending its meetings in 1966. He strongly disagreed with [[New Left]] tendencies in the membership and strategies of the [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]], and eventually gave up membership of a party he had served for close to 67 years.

==Personal life==
[[File:Echtpaar Drees, 1911, NG-2004-14.jpg|thumb|Catharina Hent and Willem Drees in 1911]]
On 28 July 1910, Drees married Catharina Hent (6 May 1888 – 30 January 1974)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.graftombe.nl/names/info/1187885/hent|title=Graftombe.nl – Informatie over Catharina Hent|website=www.graftombe.nl}}</ref> and had two sons and two daughters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://resources.huygens.knaw.nl/bwn1880-2000/lemmata/bwn2/b/bwn4/drees|title=Drees [sr.], Willem (1886-1988)|language=nl|work=Biografisch Woordenboek van Nederland|first=J.|last=Bosmans|date=2013}}</ref> Both his sons Jan Drees and [[Willem Drees Jr.]] were active members of the [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]], but just like Drees left the party around 1970. They joined [[Democratic Socialists '70]] (DS'70), which Drees never did.

Drees was a life-long [[Teetotalism|teetotaler]].<ref name="Biography Willem Drees"/> He was also an [[List of Esperanto speakers|Esperantist]] and addressed the 1954 [[World Esperanto Congress]], which was held in [[Haarlem]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120722134309/http://uea.org/dokumentoj/bhh/rm1947-1974.html UEA: Reta Muzeo. Materialoj el Biblioteko Hector Hodler. 1947–1974<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''[[World Esperanto Association]]''.</ref>

[[File:Willem Drees sr (1981).jpg|thumb|upright|Drees in his house in [[The Hague]], 2 July 1981]]
Drees died on 14 May 1988 in [[The Hague]], at age 101.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/19/obituaries/willem-drees-dies-at-101-postwar-dutch-leader.html|title=Willem Drees Dies at 101; Postwar Dutch Leader|date=19 May 1988|website=The New York Times}}</ref> From 22 August 1986, when former [[President of Turkey|Turkish President]] [[Celâl Bayar]] died, until his own death, Drees was [[Lists of state leaders by age|the world's oldest living former head of government]].

== Legacy ==
In 2004 he ended in third place in the election of [[De Grootste Nederlander|The Greatest Dutchman]].<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.nu.nl/algemeen/443284/pim-fortuyn-toch-niet-de-grootste-nederlander.html 'Pim Fortuyn toch niet de Grootste Nederlander'] ''[[NU.nl]]''</ref><ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.geschiedenis24.nl/nieuws/2004/april/Zoektocht-naar-Grootste-Nederlander-begint.html Zoektocht naar ‘Grootste Nederlander’ begint] ''Geschiedenis24''</ref>

==Decorations==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%;"
|+ Honours
! style="width:80px;"| Ribbon bar !! Honour !! Country !! Date !! Comment
|-
| [[File:Order of the Netherlands Lion ribbon - Knight Grand Cross.svg|80px]]
| [[Grand Cross|Knight Grand Cross]] of the [[Order of the Netherlands Lion]]
| Netherlands
| 22 December 1958
|
|-
|[[File:BEL - Order of Leopold - Grand Cordon bar.svg|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]]
|[[Belgium]]
|10 March 1949
|
|-
|[[File:Order of the Dannebrog S.K.svg|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]]
|[[Denmark]]
|
|
|-
| [[File:Order of the Holy Trinity (Ethiopia) - ribbon bar.gif|80px]]
| [[Grand Cross|Knight Grand Cross]] of the [[Order of the Holy Trinity (Ethiopia)|Order of the Holy Trinity]]
| [[Ethiopia]]
| 3 November 1954
|
|-
|[[File:Legion Honneur GC ribbon.svg|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]]
|[[French Fourth Republic|France]]
|10 July 1954
|
|-
|[[File:GRE Order of George I - Grand Cross BAR.png|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of George I|Royal Order of George I]]
|[[Kingdom of Greece|Greece]]
|2 February 1954
|
|-
|[[File:Order of the Star of Africa (Liberia) - ribbon bar.png|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Star of Africa]]
|[[Liberia]]
|10 December 1956
|
|-
|[[File:LUX Order of Adolphe Nassau Grand Cross BAR.png|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of Adolphe of Nassau]]
|[[Luxembourg]]
|
|
|-
|[[File:LUX Order of the Oak Crown - Grand Cross BAR.png|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Oak Crown]]
|[[Luxembourg]]
|12 July 1951
|
|-
|[[File:Order Sint Olaf 1 kl.png|80x80px]]
|Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of St. Olav|Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav]]
|[[Norway]]
|
|
|-
|[[File:SWE Order of Vasa - Commander Grand Cross BAR.png|80x80px]]
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of Vasa]]
|[[Sweden]]
|
|
|-
|[[File:Order of the White Elephant - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]]
|Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the [[Order of the White Elephant]]
|[[Thailand]]
|26 September 1955
|
|-
| [[File:UK Order St-Michael St-George ribbon.svg|80px]] 
| [[List of Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George|Knight Grand Cross]] of the [[Order of St Michael and St George]]
| United Kingdom 
| 24 July 1958
|
|-
| [[File:Medal of Freedom stripe gullpalme.svg|80px]]
| [[Medal of Freedom (1945)|Medal of Freedom]] with Gold Palm
| United States
| 7 April 1953
| 
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%;"
|+ [[Honorific]] titles
! style="width:80px;"| Ribbon bar !! Honour !! Country !! Date !! Comment
|-
| [[File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg|75px]]
| [[Minister of State (Netherlands)|Minister of State]]
| Netherlands
| 22 December 1958
| [[style (form of address)|Style]] of [[Excellency]]
|}

<gallery perrow="7">
File:Belgische ridderorde (Leopoldsorde), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-51.jpg|The [[Grand Cross]] of the [[Belgium|Belgian]] [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]] awarded to Drees on during his visit to [[Brussels]], on 10 March 1949 by Belgian Regent; [[Prince Charles, Count of Flanders]].
File:Ethiopische ridderorde (Orde van de Drie-eenheid), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-53.jpg|The [[Ethiopian Empire|Imperial Ethiopian]] [[Order of the Holy Trinity (Ethiopia)|Order of the Holy Trinity]], awarded to Drees by [[Emperor of Ethiopia|Emperor]] [[Haile Selassie]] during his state visit to the Netherlands on 3 November 1954.
File:Franse ridderorde (Legion d'Honneur), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-50.jpg|Drees' insignia of the Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour]] given to him by [[President of France|President]] [[René Coty]] on 10 July 1954.
File:Griekse orde (Orde van George I), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-49.jpg|The Grand Cross of the [[Order of George I]], awarded to Drees by [[Paul of Greece|Paul, King of the Greeks]], in June 1954 on the occasion of the visit of the [[Prime Minister of Greece]], Field Marshal [[Alexander Papagos]], to the Netherlands on 2 February 1954.
File:Liberiaanse ridderorde (Order of the Star of Africa), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-52.jpg|The Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Star of Africa]], awarded to Drees by [[William Tubman|William V.S. Tubman]], [[President of Liberia]], on 10 December 1956 on the occasion of his state visit to the Netherlands on 15 October 1956.
File:Luxemburgse ridderorde (Orde van de Eikenkroon), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-48.jpg|The Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Oak Crown]], awarded to Drees by [[Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]] on 12 July 1951 on the occasion of the state visit of [[Juliana of the Netherlands|Queen Juliana]] and [[Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld|Prince Bernhard]] to [[Luxembourg]] from 19–21 June 1951.
File:Thaise ridderorde (Orde van de Witte Olifant), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-45.jpg|The Grand Cross of the [[Order of the White Elephant]], conferred on Drees by [[Bhumibol Adulyadej|King Bhumipol Adulyadej of Thailand]] on 26 September 1955.
File:Britse ridderorde (The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George), ontvangen door Willem Drees, NG-2003-46.jpg|Drees' [[Order of St Michael and St George|GCMG]] insignia awarded by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] during her [[state visit]] to the Netherlands, on 24 July 1958.
File:Miniatuur ordetekens van Willem Drees, NG-2004-25.jpg|Miniature medal bar of Drees, showing all of his foreign and domestic decorations, as well as the grade.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Five-volume biography ''Willem Drees 1886–1988'':
** {{Cite book|first=Jelle|last=Gaemers|title=De rode wethouder: De jaren 1886–1940|place=Amsterdam|publisher=Balans|date=2006|pages=637|isbn=90-5018-760-9|language=nl}}
** {{Cite book|first=Hans|last=Daalder|title=Gedreven en behoedzaam: De jaren 1940–1948|place=Amsterdam|publisher=Balans|date=2003|pages=528|isbn=90-5018-615-7|language=nl}}
** {{Cite book|first=Hans|last=Daalder|title=Vier jaar nachtmerrie: De Indonesische kwestie|place=Amsterdam|publisher=Balans|date=2004|pages=548|isbn=90-5018-639-4|language=nl}}
** {{Cite book|first=Hans|last=Daalder|title=Drees en Soestdijk: De zaak-Hofmans en andere crises 1948-1958|place=Amsterdam|publisher=Balans|date=2006|pages=282|isbn=978-90-5018-739-8|language=nl}}
** {{Cite book|first1=Hans|last1=Daalder|first2=Jelle|last2=Gaemers|title=Premier en elder statesman: De jaren 1948–1988|place=Amsterdam|publisher=Balans|date=2014|pages=640|isbn=978-94-6003-715-3|language=nl}}
* {{Cite book|first=Jelle|last=Gaemers|title=Daadkracht en idealisme|publisher=Boom|place=Amsterdam|isbn=978-90-244-3548-7|date=2021|language=nl}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.parlement.com/id/vg09ll01jztw/w_willem_drees Dr. W. (Willem) Drees] Parlement.com {{in lang|nl}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Willem Albarda]]|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Parliamentary leader]] of the <br /> [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Netherlands)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]] <br /> in the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]|years=1939–1945}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Marinus van der Goes van Naters|Marinus van der <br /> Goes van Naters]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Netherlands)|Leader of the Social <br /> Democratic Workers' Party]]|years=1940–1946}}
{{s-non|reason=Party merged into<br />the [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]]}}
{{s-new|party|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Labour Party (Netherlands)|Leader of the Labour Party]]|years=1946–1958}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jaap Burger]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Lead candidate]] of the <br /> [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]]|years=1946, 1948, 1952, 1956|with=[[Jaap Burger]] {{small|(1946, 1948)}} <br /> [[Marinus van der Goes van Naters|Marinus van der <br /> Goes van Naters]] {{small|(1946, 1948)}}}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jaap Burger]] <br /> [[Ko Suurhoff]] <br /> [[Anne Vondeling]] <br /> {{small|(1959)}}}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-new|office}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Deputy Prime Minister]]|years=1945–1948}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Josef van Schaik]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dolf Joekes]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers of Social Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Social Affairs]]|years=1945–1948}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Frans Wijffels]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Louis Beel]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]]<br/>[[Ministry of General Affairs|Minister of General Affairs]]|years=1948–1958}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Louis Beel]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Johan van Maarseveen]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers of Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands|Minister of Colonial Affairs]] <br /> {{small|''Ad interim''}}|years=1951}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Leonard Peters (politician)|Leonard Peters]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Piet Lieftinck]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers of Finance of the Netherlands|Minister of Finance]] <br /> {{small|''Ad interim''}}|years=1952}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jo van de Kieft]]}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[List of oldest living state leaders|Oldest living state leader]]
| years  = 22 August 1986 – 14 May 1988
| before = [[Celâl Bayar]] 
| after  = [[Naruhiko Higashikuni]]
}}
{{s-end}}

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