Migrant Workers in Netherlands Face Continued Exploitation, Union Warns
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – exploitation of migrant workers in the Netherlands persists despite previous warnings, wiht some laborers forced too surrender over 25% of their earnings for housing, according to a statement released today by the FNV union. The situation echoes findings from the 2020 Roemer report, indicating a systemic failure to address abusive practices within the labor migration system.
The FNV asserts that despite political pledges, basic changes have not materialized, leaving vulnerable workers at risk of financial hardship and coercion. “Ther is nothing fundamentally changed. The politicians offer fine words, but no actions,” said FNV representative Tessel de Zeeuw. “Migrant workers are still being exploited under the guise of flexibility.” The issue impacts thousands of workers across sectors reliant on temporary labor, particularly in agriculture, logistics, and hospitality, and threatens to undermine fair labor standards across the Dutch economy.
The union is demanding a complete ban on deducting housing costs from wages, alongside mandatory, autonomous inspections of worker accommodations and equal tenant rights for migrant laborers comparable to those afforded Dutch citizens. Currently, workers frequently enough lack legal recourse against substandard housing conditions or excessive rental fees due to their precarious employment status.
FNV is also calling for stricter enforcement by municipalities regarding the division of homes into individual rooms and expanded authority for the Labour Inspectorate to investigate and penalize recruitment agencies that provide housing to their employees. De Zeeuw emphasized the power imbalance inherent in such arrangements: “As long as the employer is also the landlord, there will be abuse of power. anyone who risks losing their bed if thay speak up does not have real freedom of choice.”
The concerns are not new; the Dutch Parliament has previously expressed alarm over the poor working conditions faced by migrant workers. The FNV’s renewed call for action underscores the urgency of addressing these structural issues and ensuring equitable treatment for all workers in the Netherlands.