No exploitation at luxury Amsterdam gym Saints & Stars, Prosecutor says

Investigators found no labor exploitation at the Amsterdam gym Saints & Stars, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) reported after reviewing 11 reports filed by cleaners who worked there. The investigation into people smuggling and forgery is ongoing.

According to the OM, the Dutch Labor Inspectorate found several people at the gym chain in June who are not permitted to work in the Netherlands. During that inspection, the Inspectorate also received indications of possible labor exploitation, a form of human trafficking in which people are forced, tricked, or extorted to work. However, based on the reports and additional investigation, the OM said that “it cannot be concluded that human trafficking is taking place.”

Further investigation into people smuggling and forgery is underway. People smuggling is when people are helped to reside illegally in the Netherlands for profit. This carries a maximum prison sentence of six years.

The case involving Saints & Stars came to light following a report by Het Parool at the end of July. The newspaper reported that the Amsterdam luxury gym chain was exploiting Filipino and Indonesian cleaners, forcing them to surrender their passports and work up to 17 hours a day.

Saints & Stars owner Tom Moos previously denied all allegations. Attorney Peter Plasman filed a libel and slander complaint on behalf of the gym chain. The libel complaint was directed against unknown individuals, as it was unclear who Het Parool’s sources were, he said.

The gym chain is relieved by the news from the OM. “We are proud that our open, honest, and transparent way of working has been confirmed.” Saitns & Stars is “fully confident” that the other allegations will also be dropped.