Will the teachers strike on Wednesday or not? After the major teachers’ union, Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb), called off the strike last week, it seemed not. Now, however, they have reversed their decision, reports NOS. 

A teachers’ strike is planned on Wednesday this week. Teachers are calling for more investment in the education system: something the government seemed to have acquiesced to. They agreed to spend an extra 460 million euro on education last week, after which AOb decided to call off the strike. Most of its members were not happy with that decision, however.

6 november lerarenstaking https://t.co/x32kXGPU7L

— Bram Overschie (@bram_overschie) October 31, 2019

So, we can all look forward to another protest this Wednesday: why are the Dutch protesting so much lately?

So, why are the teachers striking?

There are several problems with the government’s solution, but the most important is that it would be a once-off investment by the government. It sounds like a lot of money, but what teachers are calling for is increased and continual investment in education. So, when AOb called off the strike, a significant number of teachers joined another union that was in favour of the strike, Leraren in Actie, which is a relatively small union. Around 600 extra members joined over the weekend, according to chairman of the union Peter Althuizen.

Ik snap nog steeds niet waarom docenten in het basisonderwijs niet gewoon 2 weken allemaal het werk neerleggen.

10 dagen lang geen dagbesteding voor de Vlinders en Splinters van Nederland is een drama voor veel ouders. Heb je geen trekkers voor nodig.

Kap eens met lief doen.

— Jelmer Visser (@DieTukkerfries) October 30, 2019

Translation: I still don’t understand why primary school teachers aren’t striking for two weeks. 10 days of looking after their darlings will be difficult for many parents. You don’t need tractors for that. Cut it off with love. 

On Sunday, AOb decided to go back on their decision to call off the strike following the concerns their members raised. So, depending on what individual schools and teachers decide, the strike will most likely go ahead in most parts of the Netherlands this Wednesday. Part of the reason for the uncertainty is the timing of AOb’s change of mind: as it all happened over the weekend, schools can only be consulted today. Parents will only know for sure this evening.

Will you be affected by this strike? Or are you a striking teacher? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature image: Teresa Gubern/Supplied. 

What a month for the Netherlands! We had protesters all over the show, shutting down roads and getting into fights. But despite all the breaking news, we still managed to delve deep into some of the things that make the Netherlands, Dutch!

Have you ever wondered why Dutch people are so comfortable with strangers sneakily peering in through their uncovered street-level windows? Heard about the VOC, but not really sure what it was and think it’s maybe too late to ask? Or, maybe you’re curious about weird Dutch sports, like pole-vaulting over canals with sticks?

Whatever you fancy, we’ve got eight of the best articles from DutchReview this month that you may have missed – or maybe they’re just so good you can’t wait to read them again!

Why don’t the Dutch like to use curtains?

Dutch culture is notoriously open-minded, thanks to its Calvinist history. But how did we go from being open-minded – to leaving all our street-level blinds open? Why is privacy dead in the Netherlands – and why don’t the Dutch care? We’ve got the answers.

What was the VOC? The Dutch East India Company explained

You’ve probably heard of the VOC, or the Dutch East India Company. But, a lot of the time, it’s not entirely clear what this company was, what it did, and whether we should be proud or ashamed of it. Here’s your quick and digestible history lesson on everything you need to know about the VOC!

The ultimate guide to studying in the Netherlands

Thinking about studying in the Netherlands? Brilliant idea! Here is the ultimate, definitive and absolute guide to studying in the Netherlands, filled with everything from student culture to where our universities sit in the world rankings (spoiler: pretty dang high).

Fierljeppen: the curious Dutch sport you need to know about

What has a giant stick, superior upper body strength and can cross a canal in a single bound? A fierljepper, of course! But what are these curious flying Dutchmen? How exactly do you fierljep? And how the hell do you pronounce that…word?

These are the best apps for ordering food in the Netherlands

Now that we’re coming into winter, there are more and more evenings where the thought of crossing the street to the nearest Albert Heijn seems like all too much. Amidst hunger pangs and wiping away drool, we’ve hunted down everything you need to know about ordering food in the Netherlands.

19 questions answered about Dutch health insurance in 2020

Who said living life on the edge is a good thing? Definitely not the Dutch! While the world of having mandatory health insurance in the Netherlands can seem intimidating, we’ve taken your most frequently asked questions, and found out all the answers!

Get a bird’s eye view of the Netherlands in 100 seconds

What if we told you that you could go through the Netherlands in 100 seconds? Would you believe us? As small as this country is, obviously that’s not possible if you’re not literally standing on a map of the Netherlands. However, thanks to some incredible drone footage you can now experience all the Netherlands has to offer – in less than two minutes of your time.

Protests in the Netherlands: why are the Dutch protesting so much lately?

Wondering why there have been so many protests in the Netherlands recently? Feeling like this usually peaceful country has gotten a bit hectic? Here’s our guide to everything people have been demonstrating against in the Netherlands recently (and a bit about the past on protests in the Netherlands as well)

What do you think of these eight great articles from DutchReview this month? Think we missed one from the list? Got a great idea for something you want to be covered next month? Let us know in the comments below!

Holiday rentals can be a great way for some people to make some extra money on the side but Amsterdam has been wanting to limit it as much as possible as a lot of people do it illegally. They are going to be introducing a number of new rules for 2020 and hope that this will help towards solving the housing shortage in the capital. These new rules will come into effect starting from next year. 

Permit for eight years

According to a press release, starting next year, you will be required to apply for a permit for a Bed & Breakfast. It will be valid for eight years, not five years as announced before. Tenants who have been living at their home for at least six months and have gotten permission from their landlord can also be granted a permit. They will also not be allowed to transfer the permit to someone else’s name.

If anybody has applied for a permit before 2019 ends, they will be allowed a transition period of five years before they have to make the necessary arrangements.

Flexibility for houseboats – but only until the end of 2019

Anyone looking to rent out their houseboats to tourists will continue to enjoy some flexibility until the end of this year. However, starting from 2020, they will have to comply to the same rules as the B&B’s and room rentals.

Fixed number of permits

However, it does not mean that everyone will be able to apply for these permits. The government will be setting a fixed number of Bed & Breakfast permits which can be issued for a particular neighbourhood. This number can vary depending on the neighbourhood itself. If there are more permits applied than is allowed, RTL Z reports that “lots will be drawn”.

They are also going to go ahead with the cap on a maximum of 30 days per year of renting your house to tourist. They alderman is also entertaining the idea of banning holiday rentals altogether in certain neighbourhoods, but nothing has come to pass.

What do you make of these rules? Do you think they will help solve the housing shortage in Amsterdam? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: TeroVesalainen/Pixabay

Construction workers are protesting against the new regulations to manage the nitrogen crisis on the Malieveld in The Hague today. There have already been conflicts with the police. The A12 has been shut down to prevent more vehicles from entering the Malieveld.

The Netherlands is currently in the grip of a nitrogen crisis. However, the government’s attempts to impose regulations to lessen the amount of nitrogen in the air have been received with protest after protest. After the slew of farmers’ demonstrations in The Hague and at provincial houses around the Netherlands throughout October, construction workers have taken their place on the Malieveld in The Hague. The turnout for this protest is considerably lower than the farmers’, reports NOS. The construction industry makes up between five and six percent of the Dutch economy, more than the agricultural industry does.

Geen plek meer op het Malieveld dus er mag geparkeerd worden op de rijbanen langs het veld. Verkeer kan hier geen kant meer op. #bouwprotest pic.twitter.com/KLsPHTRCCM

— Karlijn Houterman (@khouterman) October 30, 2019

Why are the builders protesting?

The reason for the protest is the PFAS standard in The Hague, as well as new building regulations, which have stalled construction works in the Netherlands. These were introduced to combat the nitrogen crisis, but the government announced yesterday that they would roll back these regulations in December. The construction workers pointed out that for some entrepreneurs, December was pretty far off still- hence their decision to go ahead with the protest today.

Ook meerdere tractoren betreden nu, luid toeterend, het #Malieveld #bouwprotest pic.twitter.com/Ae3CUPrrhR

— Martijn Schoolenberg (@martijnschool) October 30, 2019

The problem with the PFAS regulations

Given the housing shortage in the Netherlands, as well as the necessity of doing construction work to make buildings more sustainable, those involved in the construction industry were frustrated by how these regulations were standing in the way of building progress around the country. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the nitrogen crisis spells doom for much of the nature in the Netherlands. The government has not yet come up with a solution that protects the environment while also taking care of those who rely on the construction (or agricultural) industries for income.

How do we solve the nitrogen crisis while also protecting workers? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature image: Martijn Schoolenberg/Twitter.