News item | 28-02-2023 | 08:00
The criminalization of human trafficking will be expanded and simplified. As a result, perpetrators can be better tracked down and prosecuted. Victims of human trafficking and labor exploitation are thus better protected. This is stated in the bill that State Secretary of Justice and Security Eric van der Burg is presenting for consultation today, also on behalf of Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Karien van Gennip.
Better prosecute perpetrators
An important part of the bill is the better criminalization of serious abuses in the workplace. A new crime will be included in the law for this, namely ‘serious prejudice’. This ensures that perpetrators are punishable if they abuse a vulnerable position in the workplace.
State Secretary Eric van der Burg:
“Human trafficking leads to personal tragedies and harms society as a whole. It’s up to us to protect victims. Perpetrators of human trafficking and exploitation must be dealt with harshly.”
In addition to abuse, there must be gross disadvantage such as substantial underpayment, violation of working hours and times, poor housing or restrictions of freedom such as confiscation of a passport. These harrowing abuses are currently difficult to tackle through criminal law. Vulnerable groups such as migrant workers are often the victims of this.
“Still too often migrant workers have to deal with abuses in the workplace and substandard housing. Only the threshold for criminally prosecuting perpetrators is too high, while socially undesirable situations are encountered. This bill makes it easier to prosecute perpetrators for serious abuses in working and living conditions. It is a new step to improve the position of labor migrants in the Netherlands.”
said Minister Karien van Gennip of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
This bill also expands the possibilities for tackling perpetrators who profit financially from human trafficking. In addition, it is more clearly defined which behavior is punishable. This makes it easier for the organizations that have to work with it, such as the police, the Dutch Labor Inspectorate, the Public Prosecution Service and the judiciary.
Broad approach to human trafficking
The bill is part of the broader approach against human trafficking. Substantial investments are being made in the program ‘Together against human trafficking’. This program brings together different parties in the joint fight against human trafficking. In this way, an important contribution is made to increasing awareness of the prevention of human trafficking.
Consultation
Would you like to comment on this topic? The Ministry of Justice and Security and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment invite stakeholders to respond. With this input, the bill can be further improved. The internet consultation is open for 8 weeks.