An extra hour this weekend! Clocks in the Netherlands go back one hour overnight on Saturday 24 October into Sunday 25 October, marking the end of daylight saving time.
At 03:00 on Sunday morning, the clocks return to 02:00 as the country switches to winter time, known in Dutch as wintertijd. This means lighter mornings and earlier darkness in the evenings.
Most smartphones and computers will adjust automatically if automatic time settings are enabled, but remember to check your wall clocks, oven, car dashboard and any other devices that need changing manually.
If you’re calling friends or family abroad, double-check the time difference. Countries do not all change their clocks on the same date, and some do not change them at all.
2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay expressed her support for the international legal community during a visit to The Hague yesterda. During a meeting with Mayor Jan van Zanen at the Old City Hall, the former ICC judge emphasized the importance of the work of everyone who dedicates themselves daily to peace, law, and justice.
“The Hague holds a special place in my heart. I have had the privilege of working here and have seen firsthand the dedication with which people commit themselves daily to peace, law, and justice. My visit is, above all, a show of support for their important work,” said Pillay. “At a time when the principles of international law are being put to the test worldwide, the work of those committed to international justice is more important than ever.”
The meeting took place shortly after the Nobel Committee announced that Pillay had been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her lifelong commitment to human rights, international law, and the fight against impunity.
Congratulationson behalf of The Hague
Mayor Jan van Zanen congratulated Pillay on behalf of The Hague, the international City of Peace and Justice, and praised her contribution to international jurisprudence and human rights.
“Throughout her career, Navi Pillay has dedicated herself to people who were victims of war, oppression, and injustice,” said Van Zanen. “Her work shows that international justice is not an abstract ideal, but an indispensable instrument for the protection of human dignity and the rule of law.”
Pillay learned the news about the Nobel Prize during the Nuremberg Forum in Nuremberg, a city closely linked to the development of modern international criminal justice after the Second World War.
Meaning
Her subsequent visit to The Hague holds special significance. From 2003 to 2008, she served as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and, from The Hague, contributed to the further development of the international legal order.
During a visit to the ICC last week, she expressed her appreciation for the dedication of the staff and emphasized the continuing importance of international justice in the fight against impunity and for the protection of victims worldwide.
Navi Pillay also expressed her appreciation for the support The Hague continues to provide to the international legal system. “Mayor Van Zanen’s strong commitment to international justice and his continued support for the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is encouraging,” said Pillay.
About Navi Pillay
Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay (1941) is a South African jurist and one of the most respected human rights defenders in the world. In 1995, she was appointed by Nelson Mandela as the first black female judge of the South African High Court. Subsequently, she held prominent positions within the international legal order, including President of the Rwanda Tribunal, Judge of the International Criminal Court, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since 2019, she has been an Ad Hoc Judge at the International Court of Justice.
With the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, a lifetime of commitment to human rights, international justice, and the rule of law is recognized worldwide.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag
Photos: Martijn Beekman, Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English: The Hague Online
Featured: Mayor Jan van Zanen presented Nobel Prize winner Navi Pillay with an etching of the Peace Palace during her visit.
Below: Flanked by the South African ambassador, Navi Pillay, recipient of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, entered into conversation with Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague.
Den Haag, 19 oktober 2026
Jan van Zanen ontvangt Nobelprijswinnares Navanethem Pillay Oude Stadhuis
Foto Martijn Beekman – gemeente Den Haag
As part of the Week against Human Trafficking from October 12 to 16, the Hague Economic Intervention Team (HEIT), in cooperation with the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate, conducted comprehensive company inspections last week at three companies in The Hague and Alphen aan den Rijn. The reason for this was reports of possible abuses.
During the inspections, the partners involved investigated whether the companies comply with applicable laws and regulations. In doing so, they paid particular attention to signs that could indicate labour exploitation, illegal employment, and other forms of subversive crime.
What was found?
During inspections in The Hague, two indications of violations of the Foreign Nationals Employment Act (Wav) were found, two violations of the Minimum Wage and Minimum Holiday Allowance Act (hereinafter: Wml) were observed, and the Working Hours Act (Atw) was violated twice. There are indications that a number of employees were working without the mandatory work permit (TWV).
Additionally, during the inspection, the police found 2,980 illegal cigarettes in a building. These were relinquished by the owner, and the cigarettes are being handed over to Customs.
In Alphen aan den Rijn, indications have been found of violations of the Minimum Wage Act and prohibited child labour.
All findings of the inspections are further investigated. If violations are established, this may lead to a fine from the Labour Inspectorate, an administrative measure by the municipality, or a criminal investigation.
HEIT
The Hague Economic Intervention Team (HEIT) is a partnership involving municipalities, the police, Customs, the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), UWV, and the environmental services of Haaglanden (ODH), Midden -Holland (ODMH), and West-Holland (ODWH). The team operates in the municipalities within the The Hague police unit, including Alphen aan den Rijn.
The HEIT is committed to combating subversive crime and other abuses that damage the business and living environment.
Week Against Human Trafficking
With the Week Against Human Trafficking, municipalities, civil society organizations, and law enforcement agencies annually call extra attention to recognizing and reporting signs of human trafficking and exploitation. Everyone can play an important role by reporting suspicious situations.
Report suspicious situations to the police via telephone number 112 (emergency) or 0900-8844. You can report anonymously to Meld Misdaad Anoniem via telephone number 0800-7000.
Demand for retraining is greater than often assumed. The Haaglanden Leert Door training fund received so many applications that its budget was exhausted early in 2026. Thanks to additional funding, the scheme is now reopening, with around 250 extra training vouchers available.
Sectors such as healthcare, social care, construction, technology, ICT, education, childcare and public safety have faced staff shortages for several years. Interest in the fund shows that many people are willing to retrain for work in these areas, with financial support making it easier to take that step.
Since the fund began, more than 3,600 residents have sought advice or support. Almost 2,000 people applied for a training voucher, and more than 500 received one. Hundreds of participants have already started training for occupations where employers urgently need staff.
There is still considerable untapped potential. According to Nur Icar, The Hague’s alderman responsible for employment, the response challenges the assumption that people are reluctant to retrain. When given opportunities to develop their skills, many take them.
Demand was so high that the original budget was fully used, forcing the scheme to close temporarily. The funding ceiling is now increasing from €440,000 to €1,057,000, providing enough funding for approximately 250 additional vouchers.
Haaglanden Leert Door demonstrates how investing in lifelong learning can benefit individual residents while also addressing the persistent labour shortages affecting the Netherlands.
The vouchers are intended for residents of The Hague, Delft, Rijswijk, Midden-Delfland and Westland, aged 18 up to state pension age. People in work on lower incomes, workers whose highest qualification is no higher than mbo level 4, self-employed people and jobseekers who do not receive benefits may qualify. Mbo is the Dutch vocational education system.
The training must lead towards an occupation in a sector experiencing significant staff shortages. Applications can be submitted until 01 July 2027, provided funding remains available. A free advisory appointment forms part of the application process.
For international residents, the programme website and application guidance are in Dutch. The information does not confirm that all courses are taught exclusively in Dutch, or whether application support is available in English. Before choosing a course, ask an adviser about the language of teaching and assessment, any Dutch-language requirements and how qualifications obtained abroad are assessed.
The traffic lights at the junction of Benoordenhoutseweg and Boslaan are being replaced. The existing lights and control system are outdated, and the work will help prevent faults, breakdowns and unsafe situations.
Work began on Sunday 18 October and is expected to finish on Friday 20 November 2026.
Temporary traffic lights will keep the junction accessible to all road users throughout the work. Traffic marshals will direct traffic while these temporary lights are being installed and removed.
Parts of the road will occasionally be closed, including when new detection loops, which sense vehicles in the road surface, are installed. No diversions are planned, but traffic may be heavier than usual, particularly during rush hour. Road users are advised to plan their journeys before setting off.
The new system will use energy-efficient LED lights and respond more effectively to current traffic conditions. It will be set up to help traffic flow smoothly through the junction.
A new bowling centre is planned for Kijkduin, taking over the premises of Dunes as the hospitality venue closes its doors. The centre aims to give families, friends and groups somewhere to enjoy an outing throughout the year, including outside the beach season.
The project is being developed by hospitality entrepreneur René Bogaart, known locally for Pavarotti Kijkduin and other restaurants in The Hague and the surrounding area.
“I believe in Kijkduin. It is a beautiful location with enormous potential,” says Bogaart. “With a bowling centre, we are adding something that is currently missing here: a place where families, friends and groups can enjoy an activity together all year round. With my experience in hospitality, I want to create something really special here.”
The announcement also acknowledges the difficulties facing businesses during Kijkduin’s redevelopment. Property owner Roeland Voerman and Richard de Mos, the alderman responsible for economic affairs, recognise that the prolonged construction work and challenging early period have placed considerable demands on local entrepreneurs.
Voerman expressed regret at the closure of Dunes, recognising the hard work, investment and personal sacrifices involved. He nevertheless sees the arrival of an experienced operator such as Bogaart as a positive step for the seaside district.
The bowling centre forms part of wider efforts to strengthen Kijkduin’s appeal as a destination for families throughout the year. Alongside its beach and restaurants, the council wants to encourage more leisure activities and events.
Other measures include a proposal for outdoor seating alongside building façades, retaining free on-street parking and efforts to speed up hotel development. Funding has also been made available for a large event, with smaller activities being developed.
The council is additionally seeking solutions for vacant premises and the unresolved issue of compensation for businesses affected by the redevelopment.
An opening date for the bowling centre was not included in the announcement.
