Tens of Thousands of Undocumented Foreign Workers in the Netherlands Raise Concerns Over Exploitation

Thousands of foreign nationals are currently working in the Netherlands without the required permits, a situation that has raised serious concerns about potential worker exploitation across several key sectors. According to estimates from the Dutch Labour Inspectorate, the number of undocumented workers could reach into the tens of thousands, with most employed in construction, agriculture, and horticulture.

Other sectors where such informal employment is prevalent include meat processing and hospitality, while babysitting and cleaning services are also commonly associated with undocumented labour. The Inspectorate has noted a shift in the demographics of this workforce.

“Where we used to see mainly Eastern Europeans, we now increasingly see third-country nationals working in various sectors,” said May Verstappen of the Labour Inspectorate. “But because they are here illegally, it is difficult to check whether this is the case.”

The Inspectorate has identified Brazilians as a particularly prominent group among undocumented workers, especially in Amsterdam, where nearly 35,000 Brazilians without permits are believed to be working. Georgians are also frequently found in these circumstances.

“We have seen more and more Brazilians in our consultations in recent years. They come to us with care questions because they are not entitled to health insurance,” said Lisa Vliegenthart of Doctors of the World.

Both Brazilian and Georgian nationals are among the 61 countries whose citizens can enter the Schengen Area without a visa. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, many of these individuals register with the Registration of Non-Residents (RNI) office, which grants them a citizen service number (BSN) without requiring them to state a reason for their stay or provide a residential address.

The RNI system is designed for individuals who plan to study or work in the Netherlands for fewer than four months. However, this process is being increasingly exploited, as there is no mechanism in place to verify whether individuals leave the country once their four-month period concludes.

“The Ministry [of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations] has known for years that it is being abused, but in practice, nothing has changed,” said the Dutch Labour Inspectorate.

With a citizen service number in hand, undocumented migrants can open bank accounts and even register businesses with the Chamber of Commerce, allowing them to begin working despite their undocumented status.

Authorities have not made any recent statements regarding the issue. However, back in July of last year, the Ministry stated that it had no intention of amending the RNI framework.

The presence of undocumented workers in the labour market leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, as informal employment arrangements often result in employers withholding wages, underpaying, or dismissing workers arbitrarily. The situation remains a pressing concern, with no immediate reforms in sight.

By fLEXI tEAM