Everyone should have safe and healthy working conditions. Working conditions must also be fair. If this is not the case, report the matter to the Netherlands Labour Authority.
You can also make a report by telephone on 0800 51 51. If you are using a foreign telephone number, call +31 70 33 35 678. You can make a report by telephone in Dutch or English.
What can I report?
Unsafe work
Work is unsafe if there is an unnecessary risk of physical injury or psychological harm. Example:
- No protective equipment, such as a helmet or fall protection.
- Dangerous work without instructions.
- An unsafe machine, such as a saw without a guard.
- Inappropriate behaviour such as discrimination, harassment or aggression.
Unhealthy work
Work is unhealthy if it can lead to illness or even death. Example:
- Breathing in smoke or toxic substances.
- Lifting excessively heavy loads.
- Excessive workloads over a long period.
- Working in an unhealthy posture for long periods.
Unfair work
Work is unfair when someone is not paid the statutory wage, has to work excessive hours or works illegally, or when other serious violations occur. Example:
- Being paid less than the minimum wage.
- Working excessively long days.
- Working illegally, for example without a work permit.
- Being forced to work, for example through threats or abuse.
The Netherlands Labour Authority oversees compliance with laws and regulations on work. If these rules are broken, the Netherlands Labour Authority can take enforcement action to stop the violation. For each report, the Netherlands Labour Authority follows a consistent, careful process to decide what action to take. Inspectors do not visit to take enforcement action in response to every reported violation.
Anyone can make a report to the Netherlands Labour Authority. You can make a report for yourself or on behalf of someone else. For example, if you see someone violating labour laws or being forced to do so.
The Netherlands Labour Authority will not tell your employer that the report came from you. However, your employer may suspect that you have made the report, for example if the information can be traced back to you.
You can make an anonymous report, but the Netherlands Labour Authority will then be unable to contact you for further information. This information is often needed before we can act on your report. Would you like to report a serious offence, such as labour exploitation or organised fraud, anonymously? If so, call the Criminal Intelligence Team.
The Netherlands Labour Authority assesses whether labour legislation has been violated. If necessary, a member of staff from the Netherlands Labour Authority will call you for further information.