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You’re joking: badgers cause Dutch train services to be halted AGAIN

Simone Jacobs
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You’re joking: badgers cause Dutch train services to be halted AGAIN

If there’s one obstacle the Netherlands probably didn’t expect to tackle in 2023, it’s badgers. Those sneaky bois are at it again, causing damage to train tracks between Den Bosch and Eindhoven.

Let’s just say the badgers are definitely digging train timetables into a hole by doing what they do best, burrowing, in the most impractical place possible — under Dutch train tracks. 

As a result, rails are at risk of sagging, meaning you’re going to have to use a new route to work.

Using the Den Bosch-Boxtel-Eindhoven route? It is expected that travelling between Utrecht and Eindhoven or Limburg will now require a different connection or buses until at least March 28, reports the NOS. 

Alternative routes for while the badgers… do their work

While the badgers are being evicted, you can use stopbussen (rail replacement buses) when travelling between Den Bosch and Boxtel, an NS spokesperson tells NOS. “Travellers can also detour via Tilburg.”

Usually, sixteen trains run per hour between Den Bosch and Boxtel. Thanks to — we’d like to say it again — BADGERS, travellers on these trains will have to join other ones, so get ready for crowded carriages. 

READ MORE | Amsterdam is getting new night trains to Dresden and Prague (and we can’t wait!)

A possible solution 

So, how do the Dutch plan on tackling this niggling problem? That’s tricky. The track and subsoil need to be repaired, but ProRail does not know when they will be able to do this. Badgers are protected, so creative methods are needed to persuade the badgers to move.

So they figured, “what’s more persuasive than a proper cosy badger home?” ProRail is building an artificial den in hopes that the badgers will find it much cosier than their burrows by the tracks.

Perhaps some scented candles and a gezellige couch will help?

Track reinforcements will only be completed once our furry friends decide to move and it’s certain that they aren’t going to return. 

That’s right. Everything is on hold until the badgers decide to move into their new home. Let’s hope it’s up to standard. 

Badger déjà vu?

Last year, badgers in Friesland stopped trains from running between Workum and Stavoren until the end of April.

While you would think this is quite a unique difficulty, apparently, it’s just one of those little inconveniences that can come with life in the Netherlands — but hey, we’ll take it. 

Do you think the artificial den will work to entice the badgers? Tell us in the comments.

Aid organisations worried for Ukrainians in the NL following reports of exploitation

Francesca Burbano
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Aid organisations worried for Ukrainians in the NL following reports of exploitation

Aid organisations have expressed their worry as they have received a number of reports of Ukrainian refugees being exploited while living in the Netherlands. 

FairWork, an organisation that supports victims of labour exploitation in the Netherlands, has had to step in and help a whopping 212 Ukrainians since the beginning of the Russian invasion. 

The organisation is concerned about this vulnerable group. Specifically in terms of how they’re treated and taken advantage of in the workplace, reports the NOS. 

How are Ukrainians being exploited? 

The organisation has received many complaints concerning shocking acts by employers in the Netherlands. 

These include the non-payment of salaries, in addition to other employment law complaints, such as people having to pay an intermediary to get their citizen service number (BSN). 

An example of such exploitation can be seen in the case of a middle-aged Ukrainian man who fled the war in April and has been living in the Netherlands ever since.

He reported to FairWork that he worked more than ten hours a day for less than minimum wage, only to get fired after a month — and put on the street without a salary. Lovely. 

READ MORE | Here’s how you can help Ukraine from the Netherlands

In fact, in 2022, FairWork aided 173 Ukrainians out of 1,200 people who approached the organisation with questions and complaints.

And it doesn’t just concern the workplace. Last year, FairWork noted that 69 Ukrainians were also at risk of human trafficking. In comparison, five Ukrainians faced this risk in 2021. 

Empty promises in exchange for work 

Speaking with the NOS, Oksana Savchuk of the Ukrainian House in the Charlois district of Rotterdam explains that many Ukrainians are forced to turn to social media to find work. 

Many are told they must pay an intermediary to arrange work — which should never be the case — and then things take an even worse turn. 

FairWork tells the NOS of one Ukrainian man’s story. He had found an employer through an advertisement on Facebook. While he had no contract, the employer claimed he would arrange this after a month, and he was promised a salary of €12 an hour. 

Guess what? The employer never delivered on these promises.

These acts of exploitation happen frequently, reports Savchuk, who has estimated that about five Ukrainians with similar complaints come to the centre each week. 

“They partly experience the same as other migrant workers. They are often recruited via social media with the promise that the paperwork will be in order. They work for free for a month, and then it turns out that the papers are not in order and that they are not paid,” she explains to the NOS. 

She expects that people who turned to FairWork for help are just the tip of the iceberg. According to her, many Ukrainians “don’t dare to talk.”

Stay up to date with all the news in the Netherlands by following DutchReview on Facebook.

The Netherlands ranks fifth happiest country in the world (and we couldn’t be more proud)

Naomi Lamaury
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The Netherlands ranks fifth happiest country in the world (and we couldn’t be more proud)

Someone call Pharell Williams because we’re happy! The 2023 World Happiness Report finds that the land of bikes and canals ranks as the fifth happiest country in the world. 

Although this might seem obvious during the annual Koningsdag (King’s day) festivities or during the tulip season, we’re proud to see it on paper once again! 🎉

Let’s talk about the World Happiness Report

So how did the Netherlands end up on the podium? The report takes into account a list of measures to evaluate the final ranking of each country’s happiness levels. They look at:

  • Freedom in making life choices
  • Social support within communities
  • Levels of corruption in governments
  • The physical health of citizens
  • Generosity within communities
  • Average living standards (GDP per capita)

READ MORE | Amsterdam among the BEST world destinations for tourists last year (and we’re not surprised)

The World Happiness Report is compiled every year in the United States based on surveys conducted by the Gallup Institute. 

How did other countries do?

Happiness rankingCountry
1Finland
2Denmark
3Iceland
4Israel
5The Netherlands ✨
6Sweden
7 Norway
8 Switzerland
9Luxembourg
10New Zealand

Finland ranks as the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row. The Finnish are followed by the Danes and Iceland at the top of the list.

READ MORE | The Netherlands is officially one of the best countries to work abroad! (Except it’s too damn expensive)

Sadly, Afghanistan and Lebanon are ranked as the two least happy countries in the world in 2023. Both countries’ citizens have experienced civil unrest in the past years. 

Powering through the coronavirus pandemic

The scientists compiling the report say that the people of the world have proved “remarkably resilient” throughout the past three years.

Global pandemic aside, they noted that global happiness levels actually haven’t dropped lower than the pre-coronavirus years of 2017 – 2019. 

Somehow we’ve made it through the lockdowns, curfews, weekly press conferences, and anxious return to “normal life” with the same level of happiness. 

All in all, we can proudly say that the Dutchies are thriving on stroopwafel, boterhammen, and good vibes — and we internationals are happy to join in.

What do you think about this year’s ranking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The Netherlands sees a surge in freelancers (and the government isn’t having it)

Francesca Burbano
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The Netherlands sees a surge in freelancers (and the government isn’t having it)

We’re all in search of the perfect work-life balance, but office jobs can make that extremely difficult for employees. Enter: freelancing!

Freelancing has absolutely taken off in the Netherlands, with the amount of self-employed people growing to 1.24 million since the start of the coronavirus, reports NU.nl. In fact, it’s an upward trend that shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

The rise of freelancing 

So, what’s the hype about freelancing?

Well, with benefits ranging from a better balance between work and private life, less work pressure, and higher rates, we aren’t surprised that more people are getting into the world of freelancing. 👩🏼‍💻

Erik Stam, professor of economics at Utrecht University, even reported to NU.nl that the Netherlands is considered a frontrunner when it comes to flex. 

READ MORE | 7 things you need as a freelancer in the Netherlands

He’s definitely not alone in thinking so, as figures from the CBS (the Dutch bureau of statistics) indicate that there has been a huge increase in the number of self-employed professions. This growth is mainly seen in healthcare, closely followed by commercial and technical professions.

young-woman-applying-to-stap-in-the-Netherlands-with-her-laptop-and-notes-next-to-her
Freelancing in the Netherlands has many benefits! Image: Freepik

Chief economist Peter Hein Van Mullingen told NU.nl that “people with flexible jobs, in particular, decide to become self-employed. They are better able to organise their own time and also earn more.” 

Golden times for employees, but not the government

The government, however, is a little less happy about the surge in the number of self-employed people.

Since most freelancers are not insured against work disabilities and get no pension, this makes them a major risk to themselves and the economy.

This is because self-employed people can only fall back on social assistance in the event of a breakdown, and can get into serious financial trouble as a result. 

READ MORE | Freelancing in the Netherlands: 12 ways to level up

For this reason, the cabinet wants to reduce the number of freelancers. 

With the government taking measures to phase out the self-employed deduction, this, in turn, will make freelancing less attractive. However, the rise of freelancing isn’t over yet, as the government’s measures are only taking effect very slowly.

What do you think about the government’s new measures toward freelancing? Tell us in the comments below!

Dutch energy suppliers are letting you set yearly contracts again: here’s what you should know

Eva Gabriella
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Dutch energy suppliers are letting you set yearly contracts again: here’s what you should know

Fed up with the uncertainty of not knowing how much extra you have to pay on electricity each month? Well, these Dutch energy companies have announced an annual set price!

Energiedirect, Mega, and Essent are the first of many companies that are soon to be offering a year-long fixed-price contract again, reports RTL Nieuws.

Greater security

Last year saw many people struggle to make ends meet when their monthly energy bills arrived, especially after the Netherlands was branded as having the highest gas prices in the EU.

READ MORE | Gas, electricity, water and more: ultimate guide to utilities in the Netherlands

Wanting to avoid the unpredictability of gas prices on households, energy companies decided on separate plans that were below the energy price ceiling.

However, in response to consumers’ growing need for greater security, some energy providers have brought back their annual contracts.

This plan has some great advantages. For example, you don’t run the risk of your energy bill increasing if the prices of gas rise. Hoera!

However, if the gas price lowers, you will still have to pay the set price, which may be more than you need to without the contract.

TIP: Looking for expert advice on getting your energy need sorted out?

Just reach out to PartnerPete with any questions you may have, and let them guide you to an energy contract that offers you the most bang for your buck!

Gas gambling

Of course, the nightmare of last year’s energy crisis is still at the forefront of your memories, and with the geopolitical uncertainties, it looks like next winter may follow suit.

READ MORE | 14 dang smart ways to save on energy costs in the Netherlands [UPDATED 2023]

We suggest you do some research into what each energy company offers because some are asking for a cancellation of €100 on top of your monthly energy bill.

Experts suggest that you can also wait until more companies start offering permanent contracts, as energy prices may continue to fall due to the falling gas prices.

What do you think about the set prices? Tell us in the comments below!

Take a rain check on those plans: The Netherlands will be overcast all week

Francesca Burbano
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Take a rain check on those plans: The Netherlands will be overcast all week

For anyone hoping to start wearing their spring clothes this week, you may want to gently nudge the brakes, as the latest weather forecast predicts anything but fun in the sun! ☔️

Despite spring being on the horizon, there’ll be lots of clouds and rain showers across the country, according to Weeronline.nl.

Rain, rain, and more rain!

This morning’s forecast will give you a brief taste of the weather for the rest of the week, with lots of cloud cover and some light rain. The wind from the southwest is moderate but strong on the IJsselmeer. 

Translation: Spring starts tomorrow, but we don’t notice that much in the weather. There is little sun and it is changeable. No spring weather for the rest of the week either.

The rest of the day will be grey and cloudy, making us all want to stay inside and cuddle up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. The chance of rain tonight will increase in the southwest of the country, with a minimum temperature of around 7 degrees Celsius. 

The rest of the week: no fun 

Need to set off early on Tuesday morning? You may want to take the wet conditions into account, as the rain may cause road delays for much of the country. Helaas pindakaas!

Luckily, we won’t need our rain jackets much that afternoon, as it will be largely dry throughout the Netherlands. In fact, for the lucky crowd in the west of the country, the sun might even make an appearance at the end of the afternoon. 🌞

READ MORE | Why does it rain so much in the Netherlands?

On Wednesday and Thursday, the rain will continue to bother us, as it moves from the northwest to the southeast of the country. 

Thursday, however, will see the weather in true Dutch style: unpredictable! The forecast has it all, from thunderstorms to a chance of hail to strong gusts of wind (and maybe even some sun).

Dying for a break from the wet weather during the latter half of the week? We’ve got bad news for you, as there’ll be little change on Friday or over the weekend. 😅

How are you preparing for this rainy weather? Tell us in the comments below!

Hoera! Amsterdam is one of Europe’s best cities for cinema lovers

Naomi Lamaury
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Hoera! Amsterdam is one of Europe’s best cities for cinema lovers

It’s another one in the books for the city of Amsterdam, as a study reveals that the Dutch capital is ranked among the top 10 European cities for cinema lovers. So go ahead and grab the popcorn! 

Are you a cinema buff who runs to the cinema for the newest romantic comedy, Marvel action movie, or artsy film? All that you need to satisfy your movie cravings can be found in Amsterdam. 

And the city won’t let you down! A study by Holidu ranked Amsterdam as the 10th best city for cinema lovers in Europe. 🎉

READ MORE | Tom Holland in Holland?! 7 times the Netherlands appeared in Hollywood movies

How Amsterdam snagged 10th place

The study looked at multiple measurements using data from Google maps, including:

  • the total number of cinemas per city
  • the total number of cinemas per city per 10,000 inhabitants
  • the average rating for cinemas in each city

Using these stats, Amsterdam ranks 10th with a top average rating for the city’s cinemas of four out of five stars and 18 total cinemas.

READ MORE | Top! Amsterdam ranks as the 9th most liveable city in the world

What about the others?

Can you guess who ranked first? Geneva, Switzerland takes first place with the city’s cinemas gaining an average rating of at five out of five stars. Berlin and Paris rank in third and sixth place with a whopping 77 and 81 cinemas.

RankCityCountryTotal no. cinemasAverage rating of cinemas
1GenevaSwitzerland155
2WarsawPoland374
3BerlinGermany774
4BolognaItaly234
5MunichGermany324
6ParisFrance814
7AthensGreece594
8PortoPortugal115
9NurembergGermany144
10Amsterdam ✨🇳🇱Netherlands184

What now?

Jump onto your fiets, grab some popcorn and make your way to one of Amsterdam’s great cinemas this weekend.

READ MORE | 33 best things to do in Amsterdam in 2023 [UPDATED]

Get inspired and pulled into the newest films to forget about the long work week. 🍿

What are your thoughts about Amsterdam’s ranking? Let us know in the comments below.

Are those… intestines!? Truck filled with tons of offal spills its load across Dutch highway

Simone Jacobs
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Are those… intestines!? Truck filled with tons of offal spills its load across Dutch highway

A truck carrying offal lost its load on the A67 near Geldrop. The result? Intestines and other entrails raining onto poor unsuspecting cars — followed by a traffic jam. 

According to the NOS, a truck with a trailer filled with about 10 tons of offal slammed its brakes before crashing into another truck during a traffic jam. This resulted in a very unpleasant waterfall of offal sloshing out of the truck’s trailer. 🤢

The highway between Asten and Leenderheide interchange, in the direction of Eindhoven, was closed for hours to remove all the spilled guts. 

Wondering what offal is? Usually, it is the byproduct left over once butchers carve up their meat. It can be edible or inedible and consists of internal organs, skins and other membranes.

READ MORE | Dutchman jailed after letting his 7-year-old drive a Ferrari at 225 km per hour

An unpleasant surprise

Jeroen Hendrikson didn’t have such a great drive home. He tells the NOS he was driving past when the accident happened and thought that stones were falling from the truck. 

Helaas pindakaas, it wasn’t stones. 

READ MORE | Fugitive couple drives against highway traffic with their toddler in the backseat in Limburg

“But then everything ended up on my car. When I turned on my windshield wipers, I saw that it was about blood and pieces of animal.”

We feel for you Jeroen, we really do.

On a scale of one to 10, how grossed out are you? Tell us in the comments below!

It’s official guys! Dutch over 75s are having more sex, under 25s have less

Francesca Burbano
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It’s official guys! Dutch over 75s are having more sex, under 25s have less

Research conducted by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has shown that older couples are taking it to the bedroom more often, while younger people are less likely to. 

In fact, CBS (The Dutch bureau for statistics) has come to the conclusion that people over the age of 75 are having more sex, whereas younger people between the ages of 16 and 25 are having less. How raunchy — and sad. 🌶️

Let’s talk about sex baby 

The Netherlands is known for breaking taboos when it comes to sex — vibrators being sold at your regular stores, the RIVM encouraging people to ‘find a sex buddy’ during the coronavirus crisis, and a proud announcement about the blooming of a penis plant. 

And now breaking another taboo — talking about the sex lives of older Dutchies.

In a survey carried out by Statistics Netherlands, people aged 75 and over were asked about their sex lives and how frequently they enjoy sex — and sure enough, they answered. 

When asked about their sex lives in 2022, 27% of the over-75s said they were sexually active, while in 2014, this was only 16%. 

READ MORE | Sex education in the Netherlands

Younger people between the ages of 16 and 25 were also asked about their sex lives. The findings of this survey? In younger Dutch people aged 16 to 25 years old, 63% were sexually active in 2014, this decreased to 56% in 2022.

This results in the Netherlands having a large decrease in how frequently younger people have sex, while over-75s are actually having more sex, RTL Nieuws reports. 

Age% of respondents who were sexually active in 2022% of respondents who were sexually active in 2014
Total (16 years or older)69.7%74.5%
16 to 25 years55.5%63.1%
25 to 35 years86.5%90.1%
35 to 45 years87.9%91.8%
45 to 55 years83.8%86.1%
55 to 65 years70.3%74.9%
65 to 75 years52.6%55.8%
75 years older26.7%16.4%
Findings according to CBS statistics

Taking note from older people 

Hanneke de Graaf, who conducts research into sexuality at the Rutgers expertise centre, gives her insight into what could be causing younger people and their decline in sex. 

She believes that one of the reasons could be the pressure they face in society. 

“Everything has to be perfect, so your first time having sex too, which makes young people afraid to make a mistake,” she explains to RTL Nieuws. 

Another reason could also be the influence of social media, which has made young people more cautious about their personal lives and what may end up online. 

So, what is the secret of older couples? What’s getting them a bit friskier? De Graaf thinks it has to do with how today’s over-75s grew up in a different generation than the over-75s of ten years ago. 

With different views on how people view sex nowadays and the elderly now being fitter and healthier, De Graaf isn’t surprised that they are spicing up their sex lives. 😚

What do you think the reason is behind these findings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

92-year-old with walker gets struck by tram, dies immediately

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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92-year-old with walker gets struck by tram, dies immediately

On Thursday morning, an elderly man with a walker was hit by a tram at the Clinckhoeff shopping centre in IJsselstein near Utrecht.

Tragically, the collision resulted in the immediate death of the 92-year-old.

Not enough time

The accident occurred as the tram from Nieuwegein approached the stop at the Clinckhoeff shopping centre at around 9:45 AM on Thursday morning.

The tram driver heard screams from the nearby florist, who saw that a pedestrian was in the process of crossing the tram tracks.

The driver honked, then braked — but it was too late. The man fell under the tram and died on the spot.

Unsafe tram crossing

According to AD, the tram stop near the shopping centre has two crossings: One for cars and one for pedestrians. So far, so good — except for the fact that only one of them has barriers, warning lights, and a bell that indicates when a tram is nearing.

And yup, you guessed it, that’s for the cars.

Pedestrians, on the other hand, only have red fences that they have to zigzag through — meant to warn them of possible danger.

Translation: How awful. A 92-year-old man with his walker…WHY ARE THESE TRAM CROSSINGS NOT SECURED? This is NOT the first fatal accident involving the Nieuwegein/IJsselstein/Utrecht tram!

Trams on strike

A resident of the area tells AD that trams had not been running in the days leading up to the incident due to the ongoing regional public transport strikes. “Then you don’t have to look around,” they explain.

READ MORE | Body of missing 29-year-old woman found in Amsterdam

It is unclear what exactly caused the incident — whether the man didn’t look, got stuck with his walker, or simply didn’t register the approaching tram.

It took emergency services several hours to clear the tracks, and traffic didn’t start up again until 2 PM.

Warning campaign

The province of Utrecht, which owns the trams and rails in this area, launched a campaign earlier this year to warn pedestrians of the dangers of crossing the street at tram crossings.

It takes a tram about 40 metres to brake, so a driver cannot stop easily if someone is in front of the tram.

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