Amsterdam gym launches legal counterattack after worker exploitation allegations

The luxury gym chain Saints & Stars in Amsterdam is now at the center of both a criminal investigation and a legal counterattack, following reports that it exploited Filipino and Indonesian cleaners.

On Friday, lawyer Peter Plasman filed a criminal complaint on behalf of Saints & Stars, citing slander, libel, and an attempt at extortion. Plasman confirmed reporting by De Telegraaf about the complaint.

The claim targets unknown individuals. “We have suspicions, but there is no concrete person to point to,” he said. Plasman suggested the media attention was linked to “high amounts that Saints & Stars would have had to pay the cleaners to clear the company name.” The company has refused to make any payments.

Plasman and labor lawyer Hendarin Mouselli also filed a separate complaint against the cleaners’ lawyer, but Plasman declined to discuss the matter in detail, saying, “That is for the disciplinary judge.”

The criminal complaint comes amid a separate investigation by the Public Prosecution Service (OM), which is examining possible human trafficking, labor exploitation, and forgery at Saints & Stars.

The OM confirmed its probe after Het Parool reported in late July that 23 Filipino and Indonesian cleaners at the gym were allegedly forced to hand over their passports, worked up to 17 hours per day, and were made to share beds.

“The investigation is still very preliminary,” an OM spokesperson said. “Therefore, it may still change.” The spokesperson did not indicate whether any specific suspects had been identified.

Gym owner Tom Moos has denied the allegations. In a video response, Moos said he never received any reports of exploitation and expressed that he would apologize if wrongdoing were confirmed. Following the publication of the article, the management team responsible for cleaning operations at Saints & Stars was suspended.