Refuse collectors in The Hague have begun a three-day stoppage as part of a series of rolling strikes in a dispute over pay.

The FNV union said last week that other cities would follow the example of Utrecht, where the city centre was piled high with rubbish during a seven-day walkout.

A six-day strike is due to begin in Rotterdam on Wednesday, while shorter stoppages are taking place in Almere and Groningen. Altogether 25 municipalities have joined the action, the union said.

In The Hague the city council has warned that the action is likely to mean overflowing street containers, but household collections are continuing as normal.

The FNV is demanding a 12% across the board pay rise for all council employees, but local government organisation NVG has offered 5% this year and 3% next year.