THE HAGUE, 27/06/09 - Media Minister Ronald Plasterk is not imposing a rock solid salary ceiling for staff of the public broadcasters. In principle, they will be allowed to earn a maximum of 181,000 euros a year, but this ceiling will not apply to individual TV stars.

The Labour (PvdA) minister sent a proposal to the Lower House Friday, which specifies that presenters at the public broadcasters may not earn more than 181,000 euros a year - the Balkenende norm. But he wants to make an exception for 'unique talents' which could otherwise switch to the commercial broadcasters. The broadcasters themselves are allowed to decide who these celebrities are.

The public broadcasters themselves wanted the salary ceiling put at 240,000 euros. Plasterk finds this too high. His proposed 181,000 euro norm is exclusive of expenses and employers contribution to pensions however.

Additionally, severance packages are not allowed to be higher than one year's salary. Plasterk wants the regulation to come in on 1 September. It will not apply to existing presenters but only to newcomers.