Train, bus and ferry services were widely disrupted across the Netherlands on Wednesday as labour unions staged a nationwide strike against planned welfare cuts.
The action also disrupted international rail connections with Belgium, Germany, France and Britain, affecting thousands of passengers.
Unions are opposing government plans to cut annual welfare spending by as much as €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion), with much of the savings expected to come from restrictions on unemployment benefits.
The government says the measures are needed to help fund a significant increase in defence spending.
The strike comes as the centre-right minority government struggles to secure parliamentary support for its policies. Without a majority, the coalition needs backing from opposition parties to pass legislation through both chambers of parliament.
The left-wing Pro party, which leads the opposition, has backed the unions’ demand for the government to abandon the welfare cuts, adding to pressure on the coalition.
The government has already offered concessions, including withdrawing a proposal to raise the retirement age and easing some other planned welfare changes.
However, the Pro party says the concessions are insufficient. Further negotiations are expected after the government presents its budget on September 15.
Goodness Anunobi
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