The Romanian ambassador to The Hague has sent a letter to Minister Koolmees of Social Affairs to express her concerns about the recent corona infections in Dutch slaughterhouses. Many Romanian labor migrants work there.
The embassy says it is confident that the Dutch government is taking the right measures, but is keeping a close eye on the situation, including by keeping in touch with the GGD, employers and other authorities. “We are happy that it is being discussed politically and we are trying to make recommendations.”
In recent weeks, a relatively high number of corona infections has been detected at slaughterhouses in various parts of the country. A number of slaughterhouses are therefore temporarily closed. Tight housing of migrant workers who work in slaughterhouses may play a role in the infections.
Employment agencies
Representatives of the embassy have spoken to Romanians who have become ill in Velp. They weren’t really concerned about working conditions, but the embassy says people may be afraid to report.
“At the beginning of the outbreak, more people reported than usual. People who worked in the catering or logistics sector, for example,” says the embassy. “They had nowhere to go, not even in terms of travel. We then spoke to them and helped where possible. But since the corona broke out in slaughterhouses, we no longer see people who report.”
Many Romanians are hired through employment agencies. That is why the embassy is also talking to them. “Most employment agencies are doing well, but there are also rotten apples that do not treat them well.”
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