Type
Bankruptcy
Country
Netherlands
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Sector
Health / Social Work
Residential Health Care And Social Work
Social Work Activities Without Accommodation
88.91 - Child day-care activities

1,000 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
22 July 2014
Employment effect (start)
22 July 2014
Foreseen end date

Description

Childcare provider Estro was declared bankrupt. As announced, the bankruptcy is due to the financial crisis and the government cuts in child care subsidies. Just 3 days later, the group made a restart through a so-called pre-pack construction. All in all, 130 centers were closed, resulting in the loss of 1,000 jobs.

The remaining 250 centres carried on under the new name Small Steps, with 2,600 jobs remaining. According to the sources, the ‘pre-pack’ construction has no legal basis in the Netherlands, and has been criticized, amongst others by the unions, that are preparing a court case.


Sources

  • 24 July 2014: NRC Q
  • 22 July 2014: Dutch News

Citation

Eurofound (2014), Estro, Bankruptcy in Netherlands, factsheet number 77421, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/77421.