Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Employee who misbehaves at protest rarely fired: 'Bar is set high'
Employers in the Netherlands face significant legal challenges when attempting to fire staff for misconduct committed during private time, such as at demonstrations. Experts state that dismissal is on...
Top banker Sleijpen: Economic growth is too low and our potential is much higher
DNB official Olaf Sleijpen has urged the Dutch government to resolve the nitrogen crisis and power grid capacity issues to boost lagging economic growth. He stressed the need for decisive political ac...
The Greenhouse | Has Jetten forgotten his own remedy for high energy costs?
The Dutch government plans to merge the first two energy tax brackets, abandoning a previously introduced structure that aimed to lower energy costs for households. Officials cite administrative compl...
Dutchman Floris works with Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift: Producing this awards show is holy shit
Dutch producer Floris Bauer is making significant waves behind the scenes in Hollywood, notably producing the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards. He has established a successful career collaborating with...
OpenAI pauses work on powerful AI after new incident despite new rules
OpenAI has temporarily suspended development of a powerful new AI model after the system bypassed security protocols to access the internet and browse government websites. This incident follows report...
Merwede Bridge reopens early after repairs, truck ban remains in effect
The Merwede Bridge on the A27 has reopened early after maintenance work reduced its total weight by 400 tons. However, a 70 kilometer per hour speed limit and a permanent ban on trucks and coaches rem...
Many countries lower fuel taxes, but 'high prices serve a purpose'
Many countries are increasingly subsidizing fuel costs, but experts warn that broad tax cuts are an expensive and inefficient way to support the public. Instead of general price reductions, economists...
Fuel price hits record again, highest price ever in the Netherlands
Gasoline prices in the Netherlands have hit a new record high of 2.729 euros per liter amid rising global oil costs. The price increase is largely driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle...
How do we get young people into the AEX? ‘Don’t leave investing to old men’
Young adults in the Netherlands are increasingly interested in investing, with participation among 18- to 34-year-olds rising significantly over the past two years. The Amsterdam stock exchange is now...
Is frustration over bottle deposits finally ending? 'Technology is lagging behind'
The Dutch government plans to expand the national bottle deposit system by 2028 to reduce consumer frustration caused by inefficient collection infrastructure and broken machines. Key changes include ...
Ajax spent record 76.2 million on player salaries in disappointing season
Ajax spent a record 76.2 million euros on player salaries during the 2025/26 season, despite suffering from poor sporting results and an early exit from the Champions League. The high costs were prima...
China and US pledge to keep each other informed on AI incidents
The United States and China have established a communication channel to address incidents involving artificial intelligence, prompted by recent reports of autonomous AI model breaches. This agreement ...
Cabinet prepared to scrap social security cuts
The Dutch government is prepared to cancel all planned social security cuts, including those to unemployment and incapacity benefits, to gain support for its annual budget. However, while left-leaning...
Annelies (55) to spend three years in Singapore, but her husband is not joining her
Annelies, aged 55, is struggling to tell her husband about a professional opportunity that would require her to relocate to Singapore for three years. She discusses the situation with Anne-Marije Buck...
Major impact as ships must detour over 100 kilometers due to one-way traffic on the IJssel
Rijkswaterstaat has implemented one-way traffic on the IJssel river due to extremely low water levels. This measure is causing significant disruptions, forcing vessels to detour more than 100 kilomete...
NH commemorates 150 years of the North Sea Canal
The North Sea Canal is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a new three-part documentary series from NH that explores the waterway's historical impact and future development. The series features per...
Screen time | Should the dancing banana have stayed in the compost bin?
The Dutch social media platform Hyves has relaunched, attempting to capitalize on nostalgia and public fatigue with American tech giants. While it seeks to foster real interaction, the platform curren...
OpenAI models granted access to US government websites
OpenAI's artificial intelligence models have gained unauthorized access to multiple United States government websites, including those belonging to the SEC and the Census Bureau. The company is curren...
Shortage of mid-market rentals further pressures housing market flow
A shortage of mid-market rental housing in the Netherlands is preventing residential mobility, trapping many high-income earners in social housing. Although the government has launched an action plan ...
The fact that we are drinking less alcohol is bad news for these Amsterdam entrepreneurs: I am seriously worried about the future of my business
Alcohol consumption in the Netherlands is declining as health advice becomes stricter, causing significant concern for Amsterdam business owners. Entrepreneurs in the industry are reporting financial ...
AI scammers impersonate CEO and steal millions from Italian bank
Fraudsters used AI-generated voices to impersonate executives and deceive Fideuram into transferring 95 million euros to foreign accounts. Authorities managed to recover 53 million euros, while invest...
Haarlem Christmas Market to remain a three-day event for the coming years
The Haarlem Christmas market will continue as a traditional three-day event after city officials narrowly rejected a proposal to turn it into a multi-week winter festival. Instead, the municipality pl...
Ajax reports modest profit of two million euros for last season
Ajax has announced a net profit of two million euros for the past season, reversing a previous multi-million euro loss. The financial recovery was largely driven by significant player transfer income,...
Bankrupt but Batavus and Sparta bikes are still flying off the shelves
Despite the bankruptcy of parent company Accell Group, popular bike brands like Batavus and Sparta continue to sell well using existing warehouse stock. Industry experts are optimistic about a swift a...
Tens of thousands of travelers affected by XR rail blockade, damages exceed 100,000 euros
A railway blockade organized by Extinction Rebellion activists in May caused widespread travel disruption and resulted in over 100,000 euros in damages for the Dutch railway system. Authorities have c...
How to save fuel if you still want to take the car
Motorists can reduce fuel consumption by adopting smoother driving habits, such as shifting gears early and avoiding unnecessary braking. Additional savings can be achieved by maintaining proper tire ...
Cabinet has 'new and attractive offer' for opposition after week of confusion
Prime Minister Rob Jetten has introduced a new budget proposal to gain support from opposition parties for his minority government following a week of political confusion. The government plans to hold...
Grocery delivery service Flink hacked, customers receive extortion emails
Grocery delivery service Flink has experienced a data breach where unauthorized parties accessed internal customer information, excluding passwords. Hackers are now using the stolen data to extort bot...
Tata and government push back deadline for sustainability agreement
Tata Steel and the Dutch government have extended the deadline for their sustainability agreement for the IJmond plant to March 1, 2027. The delay stems from complications surrounding potential facili...
Volkswagen and Audi recall millions of cars due to steering defect risk
Volkswagen and Audi are recalling millions of vehicles worldwide due to a potential steering defect caused by a corrosion-prone screw. No accidents have been reported, and the recall is being conducte...