Why strikes are bringing the Netherlands to a standstill despite major cabinet concessions on welfare reforms

As a nationwide transport strike brings large parts of the Netherlands to a standstill, the conflict over welfare reforms is showing little sign of easing. Although the Dutch minority cabinet has scrapped or postponed several planned social security cuts, unions insist the concessions do not go far enough, setting the stage for a crucial political showdown in The Hague next week. The key question now is whether anyone is prepared to break the deadlock.