Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Incapacitated workers sometimes wait over a year for UWV assessment
Waiting times for disability assessments by the Dutch employee insurance agency (UWV) have increased, with delays exceeding one year in some regions. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed that the c...
AFM urges consumers to build financial buffers against geopolitical uncertainty
The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has advised consumers and financial sector companies to build financial buffers to protect against economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensi...
Foundation problems a major blow for homeowners
Electric trucks gain ground due to diesel crisis and environmental regulations
Although electric trucks currently represent only 1.5% of the total fleet in the Netherlands, their adoption is expected to increase rapidly due to record-high diesel prices and falling vehicle costs....
Fuel in Germany becomes temporarily cheaper due to government intervention
The German government has announced a temporary two-month reduction in taxes on diesel and gasoline to combat rising fuel prices. This intervention, announced on Monday, is designed to provide immedia...
Team leader and three colleagues exposed at wholesaler, containers of beer stolen
A team leader and three colleagues were caught smuggling large quantities of beer and soda from the Hanos catering wholesaler in Amsterdam. The employees allegedly loaded unordered containers onto tru...
Oil prices rise again after failed peace talks, Ireland cuts taxes
Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel on Monday following the failure of peace negotiations between the United States and Iran. In response to widespread protests regarding high energy costs, the Iris...
Basic-Fit hack: data of 200,000 Dutch customers leaked
Gym chain Basic-Fit has suffered a data breach affecting approximately 200,000 Dutch customers. Out of its 5.8 million European members, a total of one million records were compromised in the hack.
Paid parking in Amsterdam-Zuidoost expanded: fees start today in Gein
Paid parking has been introduced in Gein, the final neighborhood in Amsterdam-Zuidoost to transition from free parking. Motorists must now pay €1.72 per hour, except after 7:00 PM and on Sundays, as...
Dutch goods exports grow for nine consecutive months
Dutch exports grew for the ninth consecutive month in February, according to reports from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This trend reflects a steady increase in the sale of Dutch-produced goods, such ...
Internet becoming more expensive as providers focus on higher speeds
KPN has removed its most affordable internet subscription for new customers while increasing the prices of its higher-speed plans. This move comes despite warnings from the Dutch regulator ACM regardi...
Booking.com hack: customer booking information accessed
Unauthorized third parties gained access to customer booking information at Booking.com, leading to a confirmed data breach. The company acknowledged the incident on Sunday evening after affected cust...
Since the war in Iran, this car dealer is selling more electric cars
Current business park to feature 8,000 high-rise homes in the future
The Amsterdam City Council is reviewing plans to transform the Holterbergweg industrial area in Zuidoost into a high-rise district featuring up to 8,000 new homes and expanded business space. The deve...
Crayfish as a symbol of slow administration
The American crayfish plague in the Netherlands has become a symbol of slow government bureaucracy and inefficient decision-making. Despite being a long-standing issue, the response remains bogged dow...
Lufthansa hit by another strike: pilots to walk out Monday and Tuesday
Lufthansa pilots, including those from subsidiaries CityLine, Eurowings, and Lufthansa Cargo, will go on strike this Monday and Tuesday. The industrial action, organized by the Cockpit union, aims to ...
FT: US-Iran negotiations stall over Strait of Hormuz
Negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan have stalled over disagreements regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reportedly insists on maintaining full control and the right...
Traffic jams in South and on several highways due to closure of A10 South and A10 East
Major traffic congestion has hit Amsterdam and surrounding highways following the closure of the A10 South and A10 East for the Zuidasdok project. Drivers are facing significant delays in local neighb...
Fairground industry furious over new truck tax: 'The government is destroying our industry'
Fairground operators in the Netherlands are protesting a new truck tax regulation that could increase their costs tenfold, claiming it will destroy their industry. In response to the government's plan...
Trump: US has begun clearing the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. forces have begun clearing the Strait of Hormuz of potential sea mines allegedly laid by Iran during recent American and Israeli military strikes. According to Donald Trump, the strategic waterwa...
Construction of Port of IJmuiden business park to start in August, residents consulted on relocation of historic stairs
Construction of the IJmuider Delta business park, featuring 31 business units in the IJmuiden port area, is scheduled to begin in mid-August. Local residents are being consulted regarding the relocati...
Surgeon Thomas (53) refuses to operate while tired: ‘It feels like a disgrace to back out’
Thomas, a 53-year-old surgeon, expressed concerns about the potential for surgical errors caused by exhaustion from working excessive and irresponsible hours. He discussed the physical and mental toll...
Weight loss drugs force food industry toward smaller portions and high protein
The rise of weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy is influencing consumer shopping habits by significantly reducing appetite. In response, the food industry in the Netherlands is beginning t...
Crisis or not, garden centers are thriving: ‘The start is like Skirt Day—as if everyone agreed to get to work’
Despite high inflation, garden centers and hardware stores in the Netherlands are seeing a surge in customers as the first signs of spring appear. The industry remains resilient, with millions of cons...
Minister Vijlbrief warns: State pension plan is gone for now, but the problem remains
Minister Hans Vijlbrief has invited labor unions to discuss the future of the Dutch social security system after the government's controversial AOW plan was put on hold. He warned that interventions r...
Ombudsman critical of plan to cut welfare benefits
Dutch National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen has criticized the cabinet's proposal to reduce spending on social assistance benefits. Van Zutphen expressed his concerns in a formal letter to Minister T...
Screen Time | Moon mission makes mobile phones mainstream in space
Tech reporter Rutger Otto's weekly column discusses the increasing use of mobile phones for capturing high-quality photography in space. The article highlights impressive images taken by mobile device...
High diesel prices hit major sectors: 'Additional costs of 800,000 to 900,000 euros'
High diesel prices are causing significant financial concern for companies in the transport, logistics, construction, and agricultural sectors. These businesses fear that the rising costs, which can r...
Waiting? Working! Twelve permit holders from across the country get help finding work in West-Friesland
Twelve status holders with healthcare backgrounds from asylum centers across the Netherlands are participating in a pilot program to find employment in West-Friesland. The initiative provides language...
World's largest gasoline port has more gasoline than the Netherlands needs despite oil crisis
Amsterdam remains the world's largest gasoline port and currently holds more fuel than the Netherlands requires, despite the ongoing global oil crisis. While gasoline supplies remain stable and contin...