News item | 01-12-2023 | 12:50
Major steps have been taken this year in tackling abuses surrounding migrant workers. The main legislation and regulations were initiated or entered into force in 2023. And more and more municipalities have integrated policies in the field of labor migration, such as The Hague and Rotterdam. Cooperation is also being sought and found in the region. This is stated in the annual report on the migrant worker protection booster team that Minister Van Gennip of Social Affairs and Employment sent to the House of Representatives on behalf of the cabinet. The minister calls it hopeful that the realization has arisen that action and cooperation are necessary because the position of migrant workers is still unworthy of the Netherlands.
In 2020, the Boosting Team for the Protection of Migrant Workers (Roemer Committee) presented the report ‘No Second-Class Citizens’. This report describes the abuses that migrant workers face in the areas of work and living. Minister Van Gennip has also seen these abuses frequently during working visits. The cabinet is implementing the recommendations of the Roemer committee fully and with urgency. It will continue to do so during the outgoing phase with the support of the House of Representatives. Because this approach cannot wait. Migrant workers must be seen and treated as equal and full participants in our society. In addition, abuses surrounding migrant workers have consequences for society as a whole. It leads to pressure on public facilities and the living environment and to an uneven playing field for companies.
This calendar year, the bill ‘Act on the Authorization of the Supply of Labor’ was sent to the House of Representatives. This proposal ensures better protection of workers in the temporary employment sector and prevents rogue parties from the market. The amended Basic Registration of Persons Act came into effect last year and provides better insight into the stay of migrant workers. The Good Landlordship Act combats abuses in the living situation and has been in force since July 1, 2023. These are crucial steps forward.
This also applies to the strengthened cooperation between the government, provinces and municipalities, which leads to various improvements. For example, in anticipation of decision-making, a number of municipalities have already set up a reporting point where reports of undesirable rental behavior can be made anonymously and free of charge. In North Brabant, the administrative agreement gives migrant workers easier access to multilingual information and advice about working, living and living in Brabant. VNG has developed an impact report on new activity: ‘No bed, no business’. This gives municipalities more insight into the housing demand of migrant workers. This way they can have constructive discussions with companies about the use of housing for migrant workers and make clear agreements about it.
In addition, good enforcement and good supervision are necessary. The Labor Inspectorate has started preparing the new tasks and expanding capacity for the admission system. National, local and cross-border partnerships are also important. The Labor Inspectorate, the SVB, the UWV and the Tax Authorities are working together in the Tackling Maleficent Employment Agencies project, among other things. The joint inspections under the flag of the European Labor Authority (ELA) ensure more effectiveness.
In the near future, the aim is that migrant workers will really see the improvements in their working and living environment. It is also important for the next cabinet to continue. “But the top point is that employers, employment agencies and landlords are not dependent on laws and regulations to deal with their employees or tenants in a decent manner,” says Minister Van Gennip. ‘What is immediately noticeable is how these people are seen and treated by the people they encounter. The employer and colleagues, the customer, the landlord and the people from the neighborhood. Migrant workers must be seen and treated as fellow human beings.’