Employers must check the identity of all their workers. This applies to Dutch as well as foreign workers. The Foreign Nationals Employment Act (Dutch) contains additional rules for workers of non-Dutch nationality.
Checking identity
Employers must check if their workers have a valid identity document. Employers must establish the authenticity of the document and nationality, and determine whether the worker has no employment restrictions in the Netherlands. If any employment restrictions apply, the employer must apply for a work permit.
Parts of compulsory identification
For an employer, compulsory identification consists of 3 parts:
- Verification Obligation
Employers must check their workers’ identity documents for authenticity and validity when they start their employment. - Retention Obligation
Employers must make copies of the identity documents of all workers they employ and keep these copies in their records. - Duty of care
Employers must ensure that all their workers, both their own employees and temporary workers, can always present a valid identity document at work.
Verification obligation action plan
Employers can verify the identity of their workers using the Action plan for the verification obligation.