The auto industry, a ball and chain

In the conservative weekly Elsevier journalist Jeroen de Boer takes a dry look at the fuss being made in Holland over an attempt to save a thousand jobs in an automobile plant. "The trades unions erect barriers to defend the automaker NedCar. The Christian Democrat Prime minister Balkenende is to have talks with management and union representatives. The province of Limburg has even appealed to the Chamber of Deputies over keeping the jobs. There is agitation everywhere, but the Netherlands should have no illusions. The auto industry has no future here. ... Limburg and the government would do better to attract alternative, innovative new businesses which would give the province a future. It makes no sense to drag a dead weight around."

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