3 suspects arrested on suspicion of human trafficking
This morning, the Investigation Service of the Dutch Labor Authority arrested 3 individuals on suspicion of human trafficking in the form of labour exploitation. The suspects are also suspected of human smuggling and document fraud. The suspects are 2 employees of a large staffing agency in the province of Gelderland and an owner of a healthcare mediation company. The Labour Authority has also seized real estate assets belonging to the staffing agency worth over 3 million euros. More arrests are expected.
Based on various reports and official complaints, the Labour Authority (through both criminal and administrative law) launched an investigation in 2024 in collaboration with the police and the Royal Marechaussee (KMAR). The criminal investigation is being led by the Public Prosecution Service. The suspicion involved the illegal employment of South African workers in 24-hour care in the Netherlands, among other sectors.
Recruitment in South Africa
South Africans were recruited via an intermediary in South Africa and then brought to the Netherlands, where they were placed with private individuals in need of care. The workers were often required to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, resulting in excessively long workdays. They also performed heavy labour and faced severe restrictions on their freedom of movement.
Vulnerable Position
Because they lived in their clients' homes, the workers became dependent on their employers for housing. Their position was extremely vulnerable due to their illegal work status, lack of language skills, and unfamiliarity with Dutch laws. All the workers were employed under contracts from the staffing agency.
Staffing Agency
During the investigation, several (former) employees of the staffing agency filed complaints of labour exploitation. The Investigation Service is continuing its inquiry in cooperation with Labour Authority supervisors to identify other potentially illegally employed individuals. This collaboration between administrative and criminal authorities is effective in uncovering networks of human trafficking and smuggling and confiscating illicit gains.
Obstruction of Inspections
The staffing agency did not cooperate with inspectors monitoring compliance with the Minimum Wage Act. Hindering such inspections is an offense that can result in a fine of € 12,000 per worker. The Labour Authority is now investigating whether the actual executives of the staffing agency can be held personally liable.
Responsibility
Not only the staffing agency but also the companies hiring these workers are responsible for complying with the Foreign Nationals Employment Act. The investigation revealed that 27 of the 30 illegally employed workers were working for 3 healthcare companies. The other 3 worked for five hospitality businesses. Penalty reports are now being prepared for these client companies.
Human Trafficking and Smuggling
Labour exploitation is a form of human trafficking. It involves compelling someone to work or provide services through coercion or abuse of a vulnerable position, with the intent to exploit the victim. Human trafficking is a crime against personal freedom and a violation of fundamental human rights. It carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.
Human smuggling refers to bringing individuals into the Netherlands without proper documents or helping undocumented individuals remain in the country for profit. It is a crime against the state and carries a maximum prison sentence of 6 years.
Suspicions of such practices in 24-hour care can be reported via can be reported via this website.
