Business

The Sustainability of Four-Day Workweeks in the Netherlands

In Europe, the Netherlands records the shortest working hours, a phenomenon that has sparked concerns about its potential impact on the country’s economic performance.

In the Netherlands, a significant shift has occurred with many employees transitioning to a four-day workweek. The impact of this change and its long-term viability are now being examined.

Gavin Arm, left, wearing a hat, and Bert de Wit smile at the camera — Gavin Arm and Bert de Wit introduced four-day working weeks at their business in 2019

According to Gavin Arm, co-founder of Positivity Branding, a small business based in Amsterdam, the decision to adopt a shorter workweek was motivated by a desire to prioritize family life. "The time spent with children is invaluable," he notes.

Many entrepreneurs, Arm observes, dedicate themselves fully to their businesses, often at the expense of family time. However, this approach can lead to regrets later in life, as individuals reflect on the time they missed with their children.

Arm emphasizes that he and his colleagues want to avoid this scenario, recognizing the importance of balancing work and family responsibilities.

The conversation with Arm takes place at Positivity Branding's office, located in the vibrant De Pijp neighborhood of Amsterdam, known for its bustling markets and eclectic atmosphere.

The company, co-founded by Arm and Bert de Wit, specializes in advising businesses on brand identity and packaging, providing expertise to help clients refine their brand presence.

Seven years ago, Arm and de Wit decided to adopt a four-day workweek for themselves and their staff, marking a significant change in the company's operations.

Notably, this shift did not involve reducing employee salaries or increasing working hours on the remaining days. Instead, the standard 32-hour workweek was maintained, with employees working eight hours per day.

De Wit explains that the primary goal of this change was to achieve a better work-life balance. He disagrees with the notion that employees are now doing less work for the same pay, attributing the success to "working smarter, not harder."

De Wit suggests that the number of hours spent at work does not necessarily determine productivity. He believes that changing the work culture and mindset is the most significant challenge in implementing a four-day workweek.

The four-day workweek has become increasingly common in the Netherlands, with many large companies embracing this approach.

People walking in the centre of Amsterdam — The Dutch work the fewest hours per week in Europe

The country's largest union, FNV, is advocating for the government to officially recommend a four-day workweek. Meanwhile, Dutch employees already have the legal right to request reduced working hours.

Marieke Pepers, chief people officer at the Dutch software firm Nmbrs, values the extra time off, stating, "I often get my best ideas when I'm walking my dog."

Pepers takes Fridays off, which she believes allows her to recharge and approach work with renewed inspiration, ultimately benefiting the company.

Since implementing the four-day workweek, Nmbrs has seen a decrease in employee sickness and an increase in staff retention. However, initially, the idea faced resistance from investors and some employees.

Pepers recalls that some staff members were skeptical, expressing concerns about managing their workload within the reduced timeframe.

To address these concerns, the company prioritized tasks and reduced the number of meetings, allowing employees to focus on essential work.

The Netherlands' adoption of the four-day workweek has garnered international attention, with the country's employees working an average of 32.1 hours per week, the lowest in the EU.

Marieke Pepers and her pet dog with a low sun behind them — Marieke Pepers says she gets her best ideas while out walking her dog

Despite working fewer hours, the Dutch economy maintains a high level of productivity, with GDP per capita ranking among the highest in Europe and the OECD.

This challenges the conventional assumption that long working hours are necessary for a country to remain competitive.

However, it is essential to examine whether the four-day workweek is as successful for the Dutch economy as it seems.

Daniela Glocker, an economist at the OECD, notes that while the Netherlands has high productivity and works fewer hours, productivity growth has stagnated over the past 15 years.

To maintain their standard of living, Glocker suggests that the Dutch must either increase productivity or expand their labor supply, potentially through immigration.

The Netherlands has the highest proportion of part-time workers in the OECD, with nearly half of employees working less than full-time hours.

The country's tax system and high wages contribute to the prevalence of part-time work, as families often choose to trade income for more free time.

Government data indicates that three out of four women and one out of four men work fewer than 35 hours per week.

Unions argue that a four-day workweek can have numerous benefits, including improved energy, productivity, and social outcomes, as well as helping to retain workers who might otherwise leave the labor market.

However, the OECD warns that the Netherlands' approach also has its drawbacks, particularly in the face of an aging population and a shrinking workforce.

Nicolas Gonne, an economist at the OECD, questions the sustainability of the Dutch model, given the limited number of workers and the need to expand the labor supply.

One potential solution is to increase the number of women working full-time, as more than half of Dutch women currently work part-time, significantly above the OECD average.

Access to affordable childcare and the complexity of the tax and benefits system can discourage women from working longer hours.

Peter Hein van Mulligen, from the Dutch Statistics Office, points to a deeply ingrained social conservatism in the Netherlands, which can hinder women's participation in the workforce.

A Dutch family cycling over a bridge — Some economists say that more Dutch women need to work full time

A 2024 study found that many people in the Netherlands believe that mothers with young children should work limited hours, with one in three thinking they should work no more than one day a week.

In contrast, the corresponding figures for fathers are significantly lower, highlighting a notable disparity in societal expectations.

Yvette Becker from the FNV union argues that a four-day workweek can help reduce the gender gap, as it can lead to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.

Bert de Wit believes that adopting a four-day workweek can make certain professions, such as education and healthcare, more attractive, particularly in sectors facing labor shortages.

By offering a better work-life balance, companies can increase productivity and appeal to a wider range of candidates.

The success of the four-day workweek in the Netherlands serves as a model for other countries to consider, as they seek to balance economic growth with employee well-being.

As the debate continues, it is essential to examine the implications of this approach and its potential applications in other contexts.

Ultimately, the Dutch experience with the four-day workweek offers valuable insights into the possibilities and challenges of rethinking traditional working arrangements.

Arm, the co-founder, offers his perspective on the four-day week, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to enhance overall well-being, asking, "Are you happier? Are you enjoying your life more?"

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Business

Artist Alleges AirAsia Used His Work Without Permission

A street artist from Penang has reported that one of his artworks has been replicated and featured on the design of an airplane.

A lawsuit has been filed by a Malaysian-based artist against AirAsia and its parent company, Capital A Berhad, alleging unauthorized use of the artist's designs on one of the airline's planes.

A low-resolution image of an AirAsia aircraft with artwork children cycling printed on its side. The passenger plane is pictured parked in an airport — Artist Ernest Zacharevic is sueing AirAsia over the use of a livery on one of its jets in 2024

According to the lawsuit, Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian-born artist residing in Penang, claims that his 2012 street mural, Kids on Bicycle, was reproduced and displayed on an AirAsia aircraft in late 2024 without his permission.

Zacharevic states that the use of his design was unauthorized, and no licensing agreement or consent was obtained, adding that the livery was removed after he publicly expressed concerns about the matter.

The BBC has reached out to AirAsia for a statement regarding the allegations.

In an interview with the BBC on Thursday, Zacharevic recalled that he first became aware of the alleged copyright infringement in October 2024, when he discovered that an AirAsia plane was featuring a livery resembling his artwork.

With over a decade of experience in Malaysia, Zacharevic is known for his roadside murals in Penang, which have become a staple of the local art scene.

One of Zacharevic's notable works is the 2012 street mural Kids on Bicycle, created for a local festival, which features two children on a bicycle integrated into the mural, located in George Town's heritage district.

The mural has become a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors taking photos in front of the iconic artwork.

Zacharevic alleges that his work was reproduced on an AirAsia plane without his knowledge or consent, and he personally witnessed the plane in operation at an airport.

Recalling the incident, Zacharevic expressed his discomfort with the situation, which occurred in 2024.

He took to social media to address the issue, posting a photo of the plane and tagging the airline, suggesting that they needed to discuss the use of his artwork.

A photograph of a wall mural, depicting two children in white tops. The images in painted to show the children seated on a real-life bicycle. — Zacharevic painted Kids on Bicycle, a famous wall mural in Penang, in 2012

Since then, Zacharevic has engaged in discussions with the company, but they have been unable to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.

This is not the first instance of Zacharevic's work being used in connection with AirAsia, as he claims the airline has also used his artwork on a delivery bag for its food services arm.

Court documents reveal that Zacharevic had previously discussed a potential collaboration with AirAsia in 2017, where he would create art for the airline's jets and a mural in one of their offices.

According to the documents, Zacharevic had informed the airline of his work and business rates during these discussions.

The lawsuit asserts that despite being aware of Zacharevic's work and rates, the airline proceeded to reproduce and publicly display one of his notable works, thereby infringing on his copyright and moral rights.

As the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, AirAsia operates over 200 jets to more than 100 destinations, and has recently announced plans to resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London via Bahrain.

Zacharevic has stated that he will leave it to the court to determine any potential compensation he may be entitled to.

The artist emphasized that he does not consider the use of his artwork to be a mere reference to cultural or geographical associations, but rather a distinct artistic creation.

Zacharevic stressed that his artwork is the result of years of professional training, skill, and labor, and should be recognized as such.

Business

US Businesses and Consumers Bear Brunt of Trump Tariff Costs, According to NY Fed

In 2022, the United States saw a significant increase in collective import tariff rates, with rates rising by more than 300 percent for a range of imported goods.

The modification of tariff agreements by President Donald Trump with several countries had a consistent outcome: increased costs for US-based companies and consumers.

A damp sidewalk in New York City being crossed by men and women carrying shopping bags.

According to a study released on Thursday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the average tariff rate on imported goods increased significantly, rising from 2.6% at the beginning of the year to 13% in 2025.

The New York Fed's research revealed that US companies absorbed approximately 90% of the costs associated with the higher tariffs imposed by Trump on goods from countries such as Mexico, China, Canada, and the European Union.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York stated that "the majority of the economic burden of the high tariffs imposed in 2025 continues to be borne by US firms and consumers."

When tariff rates changed and increased in the previous year, exporting countries did not adjust their prices to mitigate potential declines in US demand.

Instead of lowering prices, exporters maintained their existing prices and transferred the tariff costs to US importers, who subsequently increased the prices of these goods for consumers.

The response of exporters in 2025 was similar to their reaction in 2018, when Trump introduced certain tariffs during his first term, resulting in higher consumer prices with minimal other economic effects, as noted by the New York Fed at the time.

The New York Fed's findings on Thursday are consistent with the results of other recent analyses.

The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research organization, reported last month that its research indicated "nearly complete pass-through of tariffs to US import prices."

By analyzing 25 million transactions, Kiel researchers discovered that the prices of goods from countries like Brazil and India did not decrease.

The Kiel report noted that "trade volumes declined" instead, indicating that exporters preferred to reduce the quantity of goods shipped to the US rather than lower their prices.

The National Bureau of Economic Research also found that the pass-through of tariffs to US import prices was "nearly 100%", meaning that the US bears the cost of the price increase, not the exporting countries.

Similarly, the Tax Foundation, a Washington DC-based think tank, found that the increased tariffs on goods in 2025 resulted in higher costs for American households.

The Tax Foundation considered tariffs as a new tax on consumers and estimated that the 2025 increases resulted in an average cost of $1,000 (£734.30) per household, with a projected cost of $1,300 in 2026.

The Tax Foundation reported that the "effective" tariff rate, which accounts for decreased consumer purchases due to higher prices, is now 9.9%, representing the highest average rate since 1946.

The Tax Foundation concluded that the economic benefits of tax cuts included in Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" will be entirely offset by the impacts of the tariffs on households.

Business

BBC Reporter Exposed to Cyber Attack Due to Vulnerabilities in AI Coding Tool

The demand for vibe-coding tools, which enable individuals without coding experience to develop applications using artificial intelligence, is experiencing rapid growth.

A significant and unresolved cyber-security vulnerability has been identified in a popular AI coding platform, according to information provided to the BBC.

BBC reporter's laptop wallpaper reads "you are hacked" with an image of a robot skull — The hacker was able to hijack a BBC reporter's laptop to upload this wallpaper

The platform, known as Orchids, utilizes a "vibe-coding" approach, enabling individuals without technical expertise to create apps and games by inputting text prompts into a chatbot.

In recent months, such platforms have gained widespread popularity, often being touted as an early example of how AI can rapidly and affordably perform various professional tasks.

However, experts warn that the ease with which Orchids can be compromised highlights the risks associated with granting AI bots extensive access to computers in exchange for autonomous task execution.

Despite repeated requests for comment, the company has not responded to the BBC's inquiries.

Orchids claims to have a user base of one million and boasts partnerships with top companies, including Google, Uber, and Amazon.

According to ratings from App Bench and other analysts, Orchids is considered the top program for certain aspects of vibe coding.

Cyber-security researcher Etizaz Mohsin demonstrated the platform's security flaws to the BBC.

To test the platform's security, a spare laptop was used to download the Orchids desktop app and initiate a vibe-coding project.

A request was made to the Orchids AI assistant to generate code for a computer game based on the BBC News website.

Screenshot of the Orchids app. Shows computer code being created in an action window and folders and chat box — Orchids is one of many AI agent platforms that writes code for users who have no experience

The AI assistant automatically compiled code on the screen, which, without prior experience, was unintelligible.

By exploiting a specific cyber-security weakness, Mohsin was able to access the project and view and edit the code.

Mohsin then added a line of code to the project, which went unnoticed.

This action apparently allowed him to gain access to the computer, as evidenced by the subsequent appearance of a "Joe is hacked" notepad file on the desktop and a changed wallpaper featuring an AI hacker image.

The potential implications of this hack on the platform's numerous projects are significant.

A malicious hacker could have easily installed a virus on the machine without any action required from the victim.

Sensitive personal or financial data could have been compromised.

An attacker could have accessed internet history or even used the computer's cameras and microphones for surveillance.

Most cyber-attacks involve tricking victims into downloading malicious software or divulging login credentials.

This particular attack was carried out without any involvement from the victim, known as a zero-click attack.

Mohsin stated that the vibe-coding revolution has introduced a new class of security vulnerabilities that did not previously exist, highlighting the risks associated with relying on AI to handle tasks.

The concept of AI handling tasks autonomously comes with significant risks, according to Mohsin.

Mohsin, a 32-year-old from Pakistan currently residing in the UK, has a history of discovering dangerous software flaws, including work on the Pegasus spyware.

Etizaz Mohsin standing at the podium giving a presentation. He has black hair and wearing a brown leather jacket and jeans — Etizaz Mohsin speaking about cyber-security at the prestigious BlackHat conference

Mohsin discovered the flaw in December 2025 while experimenting with vibe-coding and has since attempted to contact Orchids through various channels, sending around a dozen messages.

The Orchids team responded to Mohsin this week, stating that they may have missed his warnings due to being overwhelmed with incoming messages.

According to the company's LinkedIn page, Orchids is a San Francisco-based company founded in 2025 with fewer than 10 employees.

Mohsin has only identified flaws in Orchids and not in other vibe-coding platforms, such as Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and Lovable.

Nonetheless, experts caution that this discovery should serve as a warning.

Professor Kevin Curran of Ulster University's cybersecurity department notes that the main security implications of vibe-coding are the potential for code to fail under attack due to a lack of discipline, documentation, and review.

Agentic AI tools, which perform complex tasks with minimal human input, are increasingly gaining attention.

A recent example is the Clawbot agent, also known as Moltbot or Open Claw, which can execute tasks on a user's device with little human intervention.

The free AI agent has been downloaded by hundreds of thousands of people, granting it deep access to computers and potentially introducing numerous security risks.

Karolis Arbaciauskas, head of product at NordPass, advises caution when using such tools.

Arbaciauskas warns that while it may be intriguing to see what an AI agent can do without security measures, this level of access is also highly insecure.

He recommends running these tools on separate, dedicated machines and using disposable accounts for experimentation.

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