Friday 10 July 2020

Dutch exports to China rise 16%

Dutch exports to China rise 16%

The value of Dutch exports to China soared €500m to nearly €5bn in the first four months of the year, compared with the same period in 2019, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday. This means the Netherlands is now just ahead of France as the second biggest exporter of goods to China in the EU, the CBS says. Germany tops the list with exports worth €29bn in the first four months of the year. Machinery, baby milk powder... More >

Macron in The Hague for talks on EU fund

Macron in The Hague for talks on EU fund

French president Emmanuel Macron was in The Hague on Tuesday evening for talks with prime minister Mark Rutte ahead of continuing negotiations about the EU’s €750bn Covid-19 recovery programme. European leaders are due to meet face to face on July 17 and 18, after last week’s video conference failed to bring any real concrete results. The Netherlands is under pressure from France to soften its opposition to making part of the recovery package a gift – the Netherlands is keen... More >

Farmers want more non-EU seasonal workers

Farmers want more non-EU seasonal workers

Farming organistion LTO Nederland wants parliament to make it easier to bring seasonal workers to the Netherlands from outside the EU, and hopes the issue will be a major theme at next year’s general election. The organisation says it wants the next government to introduce a work permit of up to nine months so that non-EU nationals can come to the Netherlands to work, particularly for the harvest. Strict rules on salaries and skill shortages currently apply to non-EU work... More >

Privacy concerns about café heath checks

Privacy concerns about café heath checks

A Dutch MEP has asked the European Data Protection Board if it is legal for cafés and restaurants to ask their customers detailed questions about their personal health and record their answers. Sophie in ‘t Veld points out that under coronavirus limitation rules in many EU countries, consumers are being asked for their health and contact details before they are allowed to make a booking. ‘A table in a restaurant, a pint in the pub, a ticket to the museum:... More >

MPs back tighter staffing agency rules

MPs back tighter staffing agency rules

Dutch MPs on Tuesday voted in favour of a motion drawn up by the Christian Democrats and D66 which asks ministers to look into requiring all staffing agencies to meet tougher quality standards. There are currently some 14,000 staffing agencies in the Netherlands but there are no rules governing who can start up an agency and most do not subscribe to existing quality trademarks. MPs also voted in favour of a motion to improve the housing lived in by staffing... More >

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Features

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King Willem-Alexander photographed through the rungs of Herman Dinius's ladder.
DutchNews podcast – The Brexit Muppet Returns Edition – Week 27
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