[tluyben2]

Depending what kind of project you are doing there are enough variables to play with (price, deadline etc), however if the client wants to receive the same service for less, there are not much options; either you (or others) cut prices or they find other people to do the job. In the end, if the client keeps coming back to this reduction request, they'll push it through eventually.

A tactic we used to use (i'm from the Netherlands as well) is a) make sure you are close to the decision makers (this is always smart and we always were/are); COO/CIO/CTO/CEO depending on company size and structure b) ask your 'friend' in the top to change your 'title'; so if you are a 'developer' making E90/hour and they want to cut 5%, tell them to make you 'head developer' making E100/hour and then, via your direct chief, accept the 5% cut. Somewhere in the company are bean counters who came up with this 5% across all freelancers; they don't know/care what roles they have, so you change your role, accept the 5%, you earn more and on paper everyone is happy until the next year 5% round which you can blindly take. And I wouldn't stick around for round 3 :) But that's just me.