News of: Tuesday, August 16 2005,

Garbage still collected around Dam Square

The garbage collectors in Amsterdam, who are on strike this week, have agreed to make an exception for the Dam Square area.

With the Sail event approaching (2.5 million visitors are expected between August 17 and 22), there were fears that the pollution may form a health hazard and general security risk.

The strikers therefore agreed to make an exception for the area around Dam Square, Damrak, Rokin, and the area close to Central Station, where many tourists and visitors will gather and where there are a lot of businesses and restaurants.

The Sail 2005 area has its own cleaning facilities.

In all other parts of Amsterdam the strike of the garbage collectors will continue this week.