More than 3,500 corona complaints about work

Until September 13, the Inspectorate SZW received more than 3,500 corona-related complaints and signals about work. Most of the complaints come from employees who say they cannot work safely and healthily.

They report that too little distance is kept at their workplace, or that sick colleagues show up anyway. There are also a few dozen complaints from people who are not allowed to work from home, while their work would allow it.

In general, the inspection says it will prioritize corona-related complaints to prevent further spread of the virus.

Possible misuse of subsidies

It is striking that the inspectorate has also received more than 200 signals about unfair work, such as underpayment and possible abuse of corona subsidy measures. The reporters say that their employer has appealed to, for example, the NOW scheme, whereby the government continues to pay a large part of the wages of employees in the event of a major fall in turnover, while it would not be entitled to it.

Not all complaints have consequences. With at least 1000, the inspectorate says it cannot do anything. For example, they do not fall within the scope of the inspectorate. For example, the inspectorate will forward a report about the housing of labor migrants who are not corona proof to the relevant municipality.

The Inspectorate is also unable to investigate some of the complaints because, for example, information is lacking, or it cannot handle a report because it is withdrawn.

Sometimes a fine

Of the more than 2,000 complaints that are dealt with, nine out of ten are resolved after a warning or a demand, according to the inspectorate. For example, the inspectorate can demand a plan to better organize the situation on the work floor.

In 7 percent of the cases, the inspectorate has completely or partially halted work at an organization until the situation about which the complaint was submitted has improved.

About 3 percent of the employers complained about were fined. The inspectorate cannot say how high the fines were. That depends on the type of violation, a spokesperson said.

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