Dutch transport paralyzed as unions protest over welfare cuts

Public transport across the Netherlands was brought to a near standstill on September 9 as trade unions staged a nationwide 24-hour strike in protest against government plans to cut welfare spending.

Almost no trains, buses or ferries operated across the country, with the disruption also affecting international rail services connecting the Netherlands with Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, Reuters reports.

The strike was organised by labour unions in opposition to government proposals to cut up to €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in annual welfare spending, largely by tightening unemployment benefits. The savings are intended to help finance a substantial increase in defence spending.

The industrial action adds to the political challenges facing the centre-right minority government, which was formed earlier this year and is already struggling to secure sufficient parliamentary support for its proposals.

Without a majority in parliament, the coalition needs backing from opposition parties. However, the left-wing Pro party, the leading opposition force, has sided with the unions and is demanding that all proposed welfare cuts be withdrawn.

In an effort to secure broader support, the government has already abandoned a proposal to raise the retirement age and agreed last week to ease some of its other planned measures.

The Pro party, however, has indicated that the concessions are unlikely to be sufficient, setting the stage for further negotiations following the government’s formal presentation of its budget on September 15.

By Vafa Guliyeva