On Tuesday (local time), a strike erupted at ASML's headquarters in Veldhoven, involving over 1,000 employees who took to the streets to voice their opposition to the company's planned layoffs. Earlier in January, ASML unveiled a restructuring initiative designed to streamline its workforce by trimming around 3,000 mid-level management roles. This move is part of a broader strategy to reallocate engineering resources towards innovative sectors, thereby boosting operational efficiency and sharpening technological competitiveness. The labor union, however, contested the necessity of these layoffs, pointing out that ASML's financial health remains robust and questioning the rationale behind the job cuts. Representatives from FNV, the Netherlands' premier trade union, advocated for exploring alternative measures that could sidestep the need for layoffs altogether. In response, ASML expressed its respect for employees' viewpoints and acknowledged the concerns raised during the protest. Nevertheless, the company reiterated its commitment to proceeding with the restructuring plan, noting that it has already commenced the development of a social plan to mitigate the impact on affected employees.