National garbage processing strike to start Monday across the Netherlands

The FNV has confirmed that they are continuing the three-day strike in the waste sector next week, the news was confirmed by a board member at the trade union, Hanan Yagoubi, after the FNV had threatened the strike last week.

The FNV disagrees with the Cabinet’s decision to scrap plans for a company tax on plastic. The 567 million euros that the measure was supposed to yield annually from 2028 will be passed on to waste processors, the union fears. FNV had given the Cabinet an ultimatum until Wednesday, but according to Yagoubi, the Cabinet has not responded to the union's demands.

The strike will begin at 6 a.m. on Monday and will continue until 6 a.m. on Thursday at more than 10 waste processing and transshipment locations in the Netherlands, the trade union board member stated.

Waste can be collected, but it cannot be delivered to those locations. According to the FNV director, the four large municipalities, in particular, are not happy with this. People can also not bring waste to the recycling center, she said.

One of the organizations that will go on strike is AEB Amsterdam. Wim van Lieshout, one of the directors at the waste processing company, has said that he understands the reasons for the strike. “Our staff are very concerned, and I share their concerns,” he said in a written response.

“This cabinet has decided to impose 567 million euros in additional charges on the waste sector. This is disproportionate and insufficiently thought through. If the Cabinet does not reverse this, then not only will jobs be at risk, but citizens will also have to pay more waste tax."

According to Van Lieshout, certain investments into sustainability will also be put in doubt due to the planned taxes.