Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Dutch officials targeted by Russian attack on Signal and WhatsApp
The Dutch intelligence services AIVD and MIVD have warned that Russian hackers are targeting the Signal and WhatsApp accounts of high-ranking individuals, including Dutch government employees. These c...
Why female freelancers earn more than male self-employed workers
Female freelancers in the Netherlands have reached a milestone by earning a higher average hourly wage than their male counterparts. While the gender pay gap persists in traditional employment, it is ...
Hans Spekman new chairman of FNV trade union
Former PvdA party chairman Hans Spekman has been appointed as the new chairman of the Dutch trade union FNV. The move is intended to restore stability within the organization following an internal con...
Marianne (61) lived in a Bloemendaal villa but was left destitute after husband’s death: ’How did I let it get this far?’
After the sudden death of her husband, 61-year-old Marianne Heemskerk discovered their fortune had vanished, leaving her penniless despite their previously wealthy lifestyle. She has since dedicated h...
Companies fear more pressure on permanent staff as temporary workers are already impossible to find
Dutch companies are concerned about increasing pressure on permanent staff as stricter flexible work regulations approach and a shortage of flex workers persists. Only 6% of self-employed individuals ...
Number of people using food banks rises
The number of people using food banks in the Netherlands increased last year, according to Voedselbanken Nederland. The organization attributes this rise to better awareness of their services and grow...
Dutch Central Bank aims to make payment systems resilient: 'Cash must remain available'
De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) aims to enhance the resilience and independence of the Dutch payment system in the coming years. The central bank is calling for increased availability of cash and ATMs, al...
Dutch hunt for cheap petrol across the border: ‘They use our driveway as if it’s theirs’
Dutch drivers are increasingly crossing the border into Belgium to seek cheaper fuel, causing significant traffic congestion in border villages like Essen and Meerle. Local residents have raised conce...
European gas prices jump another 30% amid ongoing Iran war
European gas prices surged by 30 percent on Monday, driven by rising oil prices and continued instability in the Middle East. The market remains volatile as the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and th...
Oil price tops $100 for the first time since 2022
The price of American oil, specifically West Texas Intermediate (WTI), has exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time since the summer of 2022. This price level was reached on Sunday, marking a retur...
American companies can shut down our card payments, leading to chaos
Inge van Dijk, Director of Payments at the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), warns that the Netherlands' heavy reliance on American service providers for digital payments poses a significant security risk. Th...
Europe triples arms imports and continues to buy mainly from the US
European countries have tripled their weapon imports in recent years, with the vast majority of equipment sourced from the United States. Data from the SIPRI research institute shows that American exp...
Jetten sees no reason to lower fuel excise duties
Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that there is currently no reason to lower excise duties on fuel despite rising prices. During a television appearance, he emphasized that the government is monitoring...
Aluminum price surges on Gulf region unrest
Aluminum prices surged by nearly 10% this week, marking the largest weekly increase since 2023. The spike is attributed to ongoing geopolitical unrest in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
Drost driving belt factory became successful thanks to the rise of Haarlem as an industrial city
The former Drost drive belt factory in Haarlem, once a key supplier for the city's industrial rise, has been preserved and transformed into the Oerkap restaurant and city beach. After serving as a tan...
Lodewijk Asscher: Every day the AOW turd remains on the table is wasted time
Lodewijk Asscher, a former PvdA leader and key architect of the Dutch pension agreement, has criticized the government for its indecision regarding the AOW state pension age. He expressed frustration ...
Part of Wildlands Emmen zoo closed after suspected bird flu case
Part of Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen has been closed following a suspected bird flu outbreak. The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature is investigating the situation ...
You might also be a high earner
The Dutch coalition faced internal conflict over actions by VVD Minister Heinen even before the official government policy statement was delivered. This tension underscores the underlying suspicion am...
Food bank in East must close: If this shuts, I won't make ends meet
Stichting Tweede Kans, a food bank and thrift store in Amsterdam-Oost, faces closure as its current building is scheduled for demolition in three months. The foundation is struggling to find an afford...
What usually takes months done in 24 hours: how KLM organized rapid repatriation flights from the Gulf region
KLM successfully organized rapid repatriation flights to bring back hundreds of stranded travelers from the Gulf region to Schiphol airport. The complex logistics, which usually take months to arrange...
Zita Pels (GroenLinks) wants to tackle slumlords: "I’m done being nice"
GroenLinks leader Zita Pels has announced plans to crack down on predatory landlords in Amsterdam to combat high housing costs and market exploitation. Reflecting on her term as alderwoman, she also e...
Look for deductions: how to ensure the lowest possible tax bill
Tax season has begun for approximately 9.4 million people in the Netherlands, who must now file their annual returns. Taxpayers are encouraged to identify eligible deductions, such as healthcare expen...
Daphne (29) feels perfectly healthy but can’t get disability insurance: ‘Was immediately rejected’
Daphne Vasen, a 29-year-old beauty salon owner, was denied disability insurance despite currently being healthy. Insurers rejected her application due to a shoulder injury sustained five years ago, co...
The most dangerous managers are not only those who shout or intimidate
Career coach Anne-Marije Buckens warns that dangerous leadership is not always characterized by intimidation, but can involve subtle manipulation. She illustrates this through the experience of a 55-y...
Pokémon Outraged: White House Uses Game to Promote MAGA Slogan
The Pokémon Company expressed outrage after the White House used game imagery in a social media post to promote Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. This incident marks another instance ...
TUI 'diligently' searching for flights for hundreds of stranded travelers
Travel organization TUI is searching for flights to return hundreds of travelers currently stranded at airports in the Middle East. While hundreds have already returned home, many others remain stuck ...
Vulnerable self-employed struggle to get insurance, even old injuries lead to rejection
Approximately five percent of self-employed workers in the Netherlands are denied disability insurance because private insurers consider them too high a risk. Experts express concern that vulnerable i...
Screen time | Finally, my laziness is leading to less scrolling instead of more
Tech reporter Rutger Otto discusses his attempt to curb excessive screen time by using a physical block in his kitchen to digitally check in and out. This weekly column explores the relationship betwe...
Is there still room for temporary housing at Kennemerboulevard and extra cruise ships in IJmuiden? Opinions differ widely
Debate is ongoing regarding the potential for temporary housing and additional cruise ship capacity on the west side of IJmuiden. Proponents argue that these developments could address the local housi...
Apple excludes chargers from pricey MacBooks, charging up to €119 for power adapters
Apple will no longer include power adapters with its newly announced MacBook models, requiring customers to purchase them separately. Individual chargers for these expensive laptops are priced at up t...