Dutch universities start laying off workers as gov't budget cuts set in

Several Dutch universities have started implementing layoffs. The government cut their budgets significantly, and a bill to reduce the number of international students will also reduce their funding. On top of that, the universities are facing higher costs for heating buildings and wages, among other things, NOS reports.

The University of Twente has to lay off over 40 employees. University College Roosevelt in Middelburg is saying goodbye to 20 people, a quarter of its employees. The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam also has to cut staff, but could not yet give the broadcaster firmer figures than likely dozens of employees.

At most other universities, it is not yet clear whether employees will face layoffs. The Dutch universities have already taken other measures to cut costs, including scrapping courses. Layoffs are the final step.

Two months ago, the government and parliament agreed to cut more than half a billion euros from the budget for higher education and science. Universities also get funding from the government per student, so the bill to reduce the number of international students will also impact their cash flow, particularly for universities at the borders.

“For those universities, dismissing employees is the most painful measure,” Caspar van den Berg, chairman of the umbrella organization Universities of the Netherlands, told NOS. “While these are the regions where young people are already leaving and facilities are under pressure. That makes it very bitter.”

The government’s budget cuts are also affecting Universities of Applied Sciences and vocational education. The impact on these institutions is less than on the universities because they have fewer international students.