THE HAGUE, 24/04/07 - The Netherlands had relatively many strikes last year, but they were all very small, causing minimal economic damage. "There was no question of major labour unrest," the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) reported yesterday.

There were 31 labour disputes that led to strike action in 2006, the highest number since 1989. But only 11,000 employees were involved altogether, compared with 29,000 in 2005 and 104,000 in 2004.

The 31 strikes led to a loss of 16,000 working days, also much lower than in previous years. The number of days lost fluctuates widely; in 2000, this was just 9,000, but in 2002, 245,000.

In 13 of the 31, the strike lasted less than one day. In 7 cases, the strike lasted five working days or longer. Although there were some lengthy strikes, few people were involved in these, the CBS reported.

Over half the 16,000 working days lost were in the transport and communication sector (8,300). Second came producing industry with 6,300.