Companies exploiting illegal labor migrants could be hit with a fine of over €11,000

Companies hiring labor migrants from outside the European Union without permits could be hit with higher fines. The Netherlands Labour Authority can issue fines rising up to 11,250 euros from February, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has reported. Currently, the highest possible fine is 8,000 euros.

A higher fine can occur when, in addition to illegal labor, there are also bad working conditions for the labor migrants, like underpayment or bad housing. This would only concern violations that employees make purposely.

The Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, Eddy van Hijum, feels that the practices need to be stopped. "Many abuses are caused by fraudulent employment agencies and their hirers who have created a business model of underpaying workers and offering substandard housing,” Van Hijum said.

Van Hijum added that migrant workers who work here without a permit are the most vulnerable because it is more difficult for them to sound the alarm.