Sick leave, discontent, and high workload: how cleaning problems are making the city increasingly dirty

Amsterdam's waste management and street cleaning services are facing a major crisis characterized by high staff absenteeism, equipment failures, and an aging workforce, leading to a significant increase in litter across the city. Internal reports and employee accounts highlight a culture of fear and extreme physical strain, with sick leave rates nearly triple the industry average. These operational failures have left some neighborhoods neglected for weeks and forced the city to spend over 14 million euros annually on external staffing.