Parliament supports law against exploitative employment agencies

There is widespread support in parliament for a bill made by the Minister of Social Affairs, Eddy van Hijum, to put an end to fraudulent practices committed by temporary employment agencies. These practices often come at the expense of labor migrants. However, parties still have many questions about the execution of the complex bill.

VVD party member Thierry Aartsen described the bill as a “very severe form of market regulation.” But he is able to live with the issues, including the scope of the legislation, because the offenses are so severe. The bill does not only focus on temporary employment agencies but also the whole sector. This also includes companies such as recruitment agencies and payroll companies.

An agency within the Ministry of Social Affairs is being set up which is meant to decide on permits for the companies. The VVD is concerned that this organization will outgrow its strength and that its costs, which will be recovered from companies, will get out of hand.

Van Hijum’s decision to make temporary employment agencies partly responsible for the registration of labor migrants will likely be supported in parliament. Although, parties are criticizing the fact that there will be no enforcement on this.

"Incomprehensible," said Don Ceder of the ChristenUnie. This makes enforcement a "paper tiger," Mariëtte Patijn of GroenLinks-PvdA said in response.

Municipalities are struggling to have a clear supervision of labor migrants. If they are not registered, they could lose their social security and end up on the streets when they lose employment. This is already causing significant issues in many municipalities.

It is mainly labor migrants from Middle and Eastern Europe that are being exploited by fraudulent temporary employment agencies.

The implementation of the law is taking too long to come into effect, the Tweede Kamer think. Van Hijum hopes to provide more clarity regarding this issue next month. It will take several years before the bill is completely implemented. The system requires “a deep breath” said the minister. The debate will continue for two weeks.