Some 39 companies have requested permission to temporarily lay off staff over the past week, according to social affairs ministry figures.

In total, 461 firms have applied to take advantage of the short-time working scheme (WTV) which allows them to reduce staff hours for a maximum of 24 weeks on full pay.
Social affairs minister Piet Hein Donner told MPs he is in talks with unions and employers on structural measures to ease the prospect of mass redundancies.