Dutch port workers have announced a nationwide strike on 4 September, with vessel handling expected to stop for almost eight hours across the ports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Zeeland.
Dutch trade union FNV Havens said the action will run from 11.15 to 19.00. During that period, no vessels will be handled across the three port regions.
The union warned that the stoppage could cause significant delays to loading and unloading operations, cargo lashing, towage and cargo inspections.
FNV Havens announced the strike on 3 August after informing members working at the affected ports. The action forms part of the union’s opposition to planned government reductions in social security spending.
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The union is calling for the immediate withdrawal of a proposed €6.5 billion reduction in social security expenditure. It said port workers had already indicated their willingness to take industrial action during a general meeting held on 31 March, which was attended by more than 700 workers.
According to FNV Havens, one of the measures under consideration would reduce the maximum duration of unemployment benefits from two years to one year.
The union argued that the proposed changes would affect employees across different ages and types of employment, including permanent and flexible workers, as well as people who are unemployed or unable to work because of illness or disability.
It also raised concerns about workers in sectors where employment may come under pressure from automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
Under the proposed change described by the union, people who have not found employment after one year of unemployment benefits would need to apply for social assistance. Eligibility for that support includes an assessment of personal assets.
FNV Havens is also calling for responsibility for the social security system to return to employers and employees. The union said both groups contribute to the system through premiums and should therefore have a role in its structure and administration.
The planned stoppage is due to affect maritime and cargo-handling activity across the three Dutch port regions. However, the union’s announcement did not provide an estimate of the number of workers expected to participate or the volume of cargo that could be delayed.
It also did not indicate whether further industrial action would follow the 4 September strike.
The action is scheduled to begin at 11.15 and end at 19.00, after which vessel and cargo operations would be expected to resume. The announcement covers Friday, 4 September 2026.
