The Netherlands Labour Authority recognises that the problems, abuses and occupational risks in the meat sector are structural in nature, and that supervision and enforcement alone are insufficient to address them. The report on the meat sector, published today, describes the risks, reports and the state of supervision and enforcement in the meat sector for the period from 2023 up to and including the first quarter of 2026.
During the period under review, the Netherlands Labour Authority received 396 reports concerning the meat sector. Half of these concerned accidents at work, whilst the other half were complaints about possible violations of other labour laws. In addition, hundreds of investigations were carried out and fines totalling over 1.1 million euros were imposed. More than half of these fines were imposed on temporary employment agencies operating in the meat sector.
Relying on migrant workers
Inspection and investigation practice shows that meat processing companies and temporary employment agencies make hardly any changes to their business practices to establish employment relationships that are fairer, safer and healthier, with a view to improving the position of (predominantly) migrant workers. The sector continues to rely heavily on migrant workers, who often carry out permanent work through temporary agency arrangements. As a result, the risks and violations relating to unhealthy, unsafe and unfair working conditions remain high.
Marijke Kaptein, Director of Temporary Work Supervision: 'We have been seeing the same patterns for years. Intensive supervision and investigation are necessary, but they do not address the underlying causes. Temporary employment agencies and meat processing companies have set up their business model around agency workers; key tasks in slaughter and meat processing cannot be carried out by machines and are still performed manually. High-risk work requires diligence and a strong employer-employee relationship in order to fulfil the duty of care and thus ensure a safe and healthy working environment. Unless changes are made, the risks will remain.'
Labour law abuses and violations
In practice, the Netherlands Labour Authority observes, amongst other things, underpayment (including through unauthorised deductions), illegal employment, recurring accidents at work and physical strain resulting from the repetitive nature of tasks. Undesirable business models exist, such as high accommodation costs, intimidation, being forced to work whilst ill, unexpected costs for the use of work equipment (such as knives) and the summary dismissal of migrant workers.
Insufficient incentives for improvement
The Netherlands Labour Authority has identified a combination of factors that reinforce one another: a heavy reliance on migrant workers to carry out the heavy labour; international competitive pressure, which puts pressure on labour costs; various types of employment relationships within supply chains; and permanent work that is carried out on a temporary agency basis. As a result, there is a lack of sufficient incentive and commitment within the sector to achieve lasting improvements of its own accord.
Supervision remains necessary
According to the Netherlands Labour Authority’s risk analysis, the various parts of the slaughter and meat-processing chain still rank among the sectors with the highest concentration of occupational risks in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Labour Authority will continue to carry out intensive supervision in the meat sector over the coming years.
No longer using agency workers
The Netherlands Labour Authority has concluded that other measures are needed, namely measures that tackle the root cause of the problems. Such as employing more staff directly, job rotation and investment in innovation and automation. Without such measures, the incentives for structural improvement remain weak. Minister Vijlbrief of Social Affairs and Employment announced today that, from 1 March 2028, the meat sector will no longer be permitted to employ agency workers.