Thousands of migrant workers are fired unjustly every year, report shows

Temporary employment agencies are far more likely to fire non-Dutch workers on the spot than their Dutch counterparts, with thousands of people losing their jobs this way every year, NOS reported. Despite having employment contracts—outlining job duration, salary, and conditions—temporary workers are regularly dismissed without warning.

Immigrant workers are often unaware of their rights and are vulnerable to being fired unjustly without cause, and often with immediate effect, according to figures released by the Dutch benefits agency UWV after questions raised by the Socialist Party (SP) in Parliament. Under Dutch law, employers are only allowed to fire someone on the spot in extreme situations, like theft, fraud, or refusal to work.

However, many dismissals appear to be baseless, and in these cases, the worker loses both their wages and severance, saving the employer significant sums, NOS reported. The Dutch Labor Inspectorate revealed earlier this year that the unlawful practice of firing workers on the spot has been financially advantageous for some temporary employment agencies, with one estimate suggesting that between 1 and 5 million euros were saved by exploiting this loophole in recent years.

The inspectorate’s investigation began when it uncovered alarming rates of immediate dismissals at an agency supplying migrant workers to the meat industry. These workers were deprived of wages, holiday pay, severance, and, in some cases, even their housing.

Between 2020 and 2022, thousands of workers were abruptly let go. In 2021 alone, more than 80% of dismissals at this agency were done on the spot, a rate far higher than the national average of 0.56%.

While the issue was initially focused on the meat industry, new data shows that the problem is not isolated. A broader look at the temporary labor sector revealed that nine other agencies, not just those in the meat industry, have some of the highest rates of on-the-spot dismissals in the country.

Minister of Social Affairs Eddy van Hijum, has denounced the abusive employment practices, calling it "unacceptable." In November, he plans to meet again with the sector to review any progress and to push for concrete reforms.