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By: Kacie Matthews
Country Overview
In Netherlands, migrant exploitation is a large issue faced mostly caused by poor housing, forced labour, and dangerous working conditions. In response to all these actions and exploitation, the Dutch government has taken actions such as implementing penalties, and addressing the nature of exploitation in hopes to limit low pay, and harsh treatment.
Statistics
4732 presumed victims of exploitation; 25% are victims of labor exploitation
600,000 to 800,000 migrant workers
Main employment Sectors: Transportation, Construction, Cleaning Industry
Top Countries of Origin
Poland
Turkey
Germany
Romania
Remittance Data
Share of GDP: 3%; Estimated to increase to 3.5 to 4.7% in 2030
Annual Remittance Inflow: $4.15 Billion
Legal Gaps
In similarity to other Western European countries, Netherlands has a narrow definition of migrant exploitation such as underpaying workers, and many work in deportable conditions. The Netherlands is known for coercion, which forces many migrant workers to do actions and work against their own opinion, and well-being. Most of the time, the exploitation and extra time migrant workers work go unnoticed, and aren’t compensated. Along with this, many migrant workers don’t receive the justice they receive because the Netherlands has low prosecution rates. As a result of the low prosecution rates, there are very low criminal investigations towards worker exploitation. There are many legal gaps in the Netherlands system, and most of them need to be fixed.
NGO & Support Groups
FairWork
CoMensha
Netherlands Labour Activity
“He knew it was dangerous work but did not have enough of his own people to do the work. So, he sent us away with a crowbar and a hammer to do the job. He said, 'Guys, I do not want any deaths today, so be careful” (Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2023).
Sources
“The Distressing Situation of Migrant Workers: “I Do Not Want Any Deaths Today, so Be Careful.”” Www.eur.nl, 2023, www.eur.nl/en/news/distressing-situation-migrant-workers-i-do-not-want-any-deaths-today-so-be-careful. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
“LEGlobal.” L&E Global, 25 Feb. 2025, leglobal.law/2025/02/25/netherlands-the-minister-of-social-affairs-and-employment-advocates-for-stricter-regulations-on-companies-exploiting-migrant-workers/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
“EU Login.” Europa.eu, 2025, ecas.ec.europa.eu/cas/login?loginRequestId=ECAS_LR-12350348-uVh3NNwD77I1zMjdtbiF5n0sSDS9sykKps0iYF46gIvnvSGzZzLzJcXzWnNR3LbIzZzKHwawMyY7OIkxxwapElSG-POMaLlcnzRyOo5ULpwdbH4-azQzNobFTbLYzcelhRhcOyOQaKCW9HjdH7IXytSiRuWeefXmh1Nbwghhno4p2tMTQzu0NoqanITfYvVAy4Nzg7t. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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