Last week, the Investigation Department of the Netherlands Labour Authority arrested 2 men suspected of falsifying invoices. The suspects (aged 25 and 55) were involved in 2 valet parking companies at Schiphol.
The arrests follow an administrative investigation by inspectors from the Labour Authority, which focused on the possible employment of foreign nationals.
As part of this investigation, invoices were requested from various valet parking companies. The information obtained revealed that staff were being transferred between, out of and into other organisations. The inspector compared the invoices at a personnel supply company and 2 hiring companies. The invoices in question from the supply and hiring companies should have matched but turned out to be different.
The invoices from the supplier listed employees who are not permitted to work here under the Foreign Nationals Employment Act. That constitutions a violation. These names had been replaced in the same invoices issued by 2 hirers by those of employees who are permitted to work in the Netherlands. The actual hours worked had also been changed.
It is suspected that employees' names were altered on the invoices in order to avoid a fine under the Foreign Nationals Employment Act. Several penalty notices have already been drawn up in connection with this matter as part of the administrative investigation.
Criminal investigation
The labour inspector has filed charges of forgery. The suspects are being charged with falsifying records and attempting to conceal violations. They have thus knowingly and wilfully undermined administrative law.
The Investigation Service therefore launched a criminal investigation. The arrests took place in Amsterdam and Amstelveen, which are also the suspects' places of residence. The suspects were the director and CEO of the companies. The investigation is being conducted under the authority of the National Office for Serious Fraud, Environmental Crime and Asset Confiscation.
Reporting helps!
The Labour Authority frequently uncovers violations of labour legislation, including the Foreign Nationals Employment Act. The Verification Obligation Guide helps to check whether someone is permitted to work in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Labour Authority emphasises the importance of reporting unfair, unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. Abuse can be reported through our website.
More information is also available at zelfinspectie.nl (Dutch).