Labor Inspectorate advocates attracting fewer labor migrants

The Labor Inspectorate argues in favor of limiting the number of new labor migrants in the Netherlands. This is evident from the annual report of the inspection that was sent to the House of Representatives on Friday. The growing number of labor migrants would have a negative impact on a large number of problems in the Netherlands, including the housing shortage, increasing inequality and achieving the climate goals. The Inspectorate also sees problems in combating labor exploitation, which, in its view, is ‘sometimes mopping with the tap open’.

According to the Inspectorate, labor migration should not be stopped completely, but should above all be curtailed. A small increase in the annual number of labor migrants would also mean a ‘significant’ increase in the population size in 2050. Because according to the Inspectorate for refugees – as is currently the case for several tens of thousands of Ukrainians – the Netherlands must always reserve ‘migration space’, the space for labor migration is limited. very limited”.

The exploitation of especially Eastern European labor migrants is also a major problem, the Inspectorate writes. Employment agencies would intimidate them – sometimes with goons. According to the inspectorate, the agencies also bring unnecessarily many labor migrants to the Netherlands, and then send some back. “Anyone who protests or wants to see their contract first, they don’t need them, they are too assertive,” according to the inspectorate. “And that means: no work, no housing and no wages.”

Also read: how restaurants have a special migration scheme widely abused

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