Netherlands metal and construction workers strike over social security plans

Thousands of workers in the metal and construction sectors are striking across the Netherlands on Friday to protest government plans regarding social security. The FNV trade union reports that the majority of strikers are concentrated in the Eindhoven and Velsen-Noord regions, with approximately 1,500 and 1,300 participants expected, respectively.

Major companies in the Eindhoven area, including chip-machine manufacturer ASML and truck manufacturer DAF, are monitoring the potential impact of the industrial action. In Velsen-Noord, protesters are gathering at the Tata Steel Academy, though FNV clarified that Tata Steel employees themselves are not participating in the strike, and the company expects no operational impact.

Other planned actions include strikes in Rotterdam, Friesland, and Zwolle, as well as at the Damen shipyard in Harlingen. The FNV, CNV, and VCP unions are conducting these actions during the first two weeks of September to oppose proposed budget cuts by the VVD, CDA, and D66 parties. While leaked documents suggest the government may have canceled or delayed some cuts, unions maintain that all social security austerity measures must be withdrawn.