The FNV is working hard to improve the housing situation of migrant workers. Here you can find everything about our rallies and meetings.
Petition submitted
The Hague, 28 June 2021
Migrant workers often work on a temporary basis. They are in a unique position because of the link between their temporary employment and accommodation. If there is no more work, then they find themselves with no roof over their heads. Some migrant workers submitted a petition to the House of Representatives on Monday 28 June 2021. They want quick action from politicians. Heynsdijk: "Despite the political consensus in the House of Representatives that employment and accommodation need to be separated, forced evictions continue."
Migrant workers speak up
The Hague, 2 February 2021
On Wednesday 3 February, the General Consultation on Migrant Workers took place in the House of Representatives. The day before the debate, on the Tuesday, the FNV organised a small campaign on the Plein in The Hague (with COVID preventive measures taken).
Here, the Vice President of the FNV Tuur Elzinga (now the president), FNV campaign manager Bart Plaatje, and two migrant workers spoke with MPs about the situation of thousands of migrant workers. They indicated the urgency and urgently requested that the recommendations from the Aanjagteam Bescherming Arbeidsmigranten (task force for the protection of migrant workers) and the additional measures from the FNV to be implemented. They also provided a black book with recent abuses.
This is how to watch the film with English subtitles: Click on settings in the bottom bar (the gear image). Then click on “Subtitles” and then click on English.
Ally of the Year
January 2021
2020 was a turbulent year and also a year in which the campaign gained steam. From business to politics, everyone now knows that the trade union gives the migrant worker a voice.
What has helped us a lot is the fact that some employment agencies invest time and attention in the problems that we raise. At employment agency Hobij, their response includes offering a helping hand as quickly as possible when we encounter migrant workers without employment and accommodation.
Manager Mitchell Swart has been a tireless helper in these situations. In light of this, he received the 2020 "ally" of the year award from migrant worker and FNV member Hugo Afecto. (And a modest case of beer)
Migrant Workers Speak Up
22 July 2020
On 22 July, migrant workers living in Dronten, supported by the campaign team, invited employment agencies EB, Level1, and Marthoflex for an interview. On the agenda: housing and living conditions in Dronten.
This is how to watch the film with English subtitles: Click on settings in the bottom bar (the gear image). Then click on “Subtitles” and then click on English.
"With Two People in an Incredibly Small Room"
Dronten 13, Ter Aar 14 July 2020
The task force for the protection of migrant workers was shown around the migrant worker parks in Dronten and Ter Aar on 13 and 14 July 2020. In conversation with the residents, harsh living conditions became apparent.
In contrast to the housing in Dronten, the “A Question of Humanity” campaign team has a progressive collaboration with the Ter Aar park owner.
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"Will You Fight for Us?"
Tiel, 18 June 2020
On June 18, a delegation of migrant workers handed over a set of boxing gloves to Emiel Roemer. The question “Will You Fight for Us?” did not come out of nowhere, because as head of the protection of migrant workers task force, Roemer is responsible for the necessary reforms to better protect migrant workers and improve their living and working conditions.
This is how to watch the film with English subtitles: Click on settings in the bottom bar (the gear image). Then click on “Subtitles” and then click on English.
Food Parcels in Zeewolde
Zeewolde, 11 June 2020
The FNV A Question of Humanity campaign team distributed food parcels in collaboration with HAN Netherlands and the Red Cross. The contents of the packages would normally be intended for export, but due to the coronavirus crisis, these products were left behind.
Every house in the Zeewolde park received a package. The Red Cross is aware of the terrible position and living environment that migrant workers find themselves in and therefore made 300 food parcels available.
This is how to watch the film with English subtitles: Click on settings in the bottom bar (the gear image). Then click on “Subtitles” and then click on English.
"Sharing One Stove and One Washing Machine with Eight People Is Just Too Much"
Oosterhout, 20 February 2020
Julian has been living with eight men in a holiday home at De Katjeskelder for a month. He does not want to have his last name printed because he is afraid of losing his job. It smells musty in the house. The furniture has seen better days, but it is clean. Julian is not dissatisfied with the house: “The thermostat works, it looks fine, but sharing one stove and one washing machine with eight people is just too much.”
A Red Card Puts You out on the Street
Raalte/Heino, 12 November 2020
Migrant workers in Heino have to pay a €1 deposit for the ballpoint pens they need for their work. Is this pen broken or empty? In that case, this euro will be deducted from your salary. This is how employment agencies make money from migrant workers who depend on them for their employment and accommodation.
“The migrants who live at the holiday park get work through the employment agency. According to Plaatje, these foreign nationals are the victims of a money-making scheme. “Two of them live in a bedroom of two by two metres and pay 100 euros a week for it,” he explains.
They also have regular inspections. “This happens repeatedly: they have to empty their suitcases. Moreover, they are not allowed to register with the municipality of the employment agency for which they work," says Plaatje.
This is how to watch the film with English subtitles: Click on settings in the bottom bar (the gear image). Then click on “Subtitles” and then click on English.
Not Registered and No Right to Have Visitors
Marknesse, 24 October 2019
About 60 migrant workers live in the “Polish Hotel” in Marknesse. When you think of a hotel, you would be forgiven for imagining nice rooms with clean sanitary facilities, but nothing could be further from the truth. The employees, who all pay €100 per person per week, are often in one housing unit with far too many people. In many bedrooms there is no daylight, no heating, and mouldy mattresses.
This is how to watch the film with English subtitles: Click on settings in the bottom bar (the gear image). Then click on “Subtitles” and then click on English.
Working in the Netherlands, Living Behind a Fence
Ter Aar, 9 October 2019
In Ter Aar, about 200 migrant workers are literally out in the cold. In the houses in the park there is often no heating, the houses are overgrown with mould, and the laundry has to be done by hand. This a good enough reason enough for the FNV to enter into a dialogue with the migrant workers with Mayor Buijserd from Nieuwkoop.
On Wednesday 9 October 2019, the Vice President of the FNV Kitty Jong submitted the damning report “Working in the Netherlands, Living Behind a Fence” to the mayor of Nieuwkoop. This came about after talks with the residents of the Ter Aar park. The heating often does not work, the refrigerators are old and decayed, and the houses are full of mould.
Alone in a Foreign Country
Zeewolde, 9 June 2019
Last summer, an FNV delegation of residents from Bosruiterweg park visited the mayor of Zeewolde. They presented a complaint against their living and working conditions and called on the mayor to take responsibility. The circumstances of migrant workers were subsequently discussed in the media as well as national and local politics.
This is how to watch the film with English subtitles: Click on settings in the bottom bar (the gear image). Then click on “Subtitles” and then click on English.