Report: Polish migrant workers still being exploited

Polish migrant workers are still being exploited in the Netherlands, according to research foundation SOMO. Based on conversations with over a hundred Polish workers, the foundation concluded that they face harassment and threats and are forced to work overtime without extra pay, ANP reports.

According to the researchers, Polish migrant workers are "extremely vulnerable" to exploitation due to their reliance on employment agencies. They blame this partly on the governments continued reliance on the employment industry's self-regulation. "Self-regulation fails in the sector and the Polish workers are the victims", the researchers say.

The researchers call on the government for more control over employment agencies. They also call on the agencies, employers and the government to improve the position of Polish workers in the Netherlands.

A spokesperson for the Inspectorate of Social Affairs and Employment, formerly the Labor Inspectorate, told ANP that they are aware of the problems. But it is impossible for the Inspectorate to by "everywhere all the time", the spokesperson said. The Inspectorate acts on evidence of exploitation, but such exploitation is often difficult to prove.