Dutch news in brief, 2 August 2006 02/08/2006 00:00

Getronics sheds 1,000 jobs

Amsterdam-based IT services group Getronics announced it is cutting 1,000 jobs worldwide as it posted a large net loss for the first half of the year on Wednesday. The company, which has 22,000 staff, said it lost EUR 41 million in the first six months of 2006, compared to a EUR 14 million loss for the same period a year ago. That was better than expectations for a net loss of EUR 50.3 million but analysts were unhappy with the margin development at the company." Getronics disappoints on an operational level and issued a disappointing margin outlook," said Frank Claassen of Rabo Securities.

Hotels go smoke-free

Two large hotels in Amsterdam have introduced smoking bans. The Ibis hotel next to the city's Central Station went smoke-free as of 1 August. Guests can no longer smoke in their rooms, in the lobby or in the hotel's bar and restaurant. The new four-star Mövenpick Hotel, opening its doors on 8 September, will also have a no smoking policy. Surveys carried out by Ibis found both non-smokers and smokers were positive about the ban.

Veerman 'abused' ministerial car

Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman has abused the rules over the last four years by using his ministerial car during foreign holidays, newspaper 'NRC Handelsblad' claimed on Wednesday. The paper based its report on documents made available by the ministry and on "sources within the department".

Garbage truck hits cars

A garbage truck collided with five parked cars in Rockanje in South Holland on Wednesday. The driver of the truck lost control after becoming unwell. He died later in hospital.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Dutch news