Migrant workers have been exploited in the Netherlands for years. Migrant workers are the rightless pawns of temporary employers, who are not only their employers, but also their landlords. For no apparent reason, bosses can literally put temporary workers on the street. This gives them a lot of power – power that ensures that they can earn as much as possible on the backs of the migrant workers.
Your union, the FNV, has been fighting against this with migrant workers since May 2019. Migrant workers have told their stories to mayors, aldermen, councillors, ministers, MEPs, and members of the House of Representatives as well as bosses that employ temporary workers. Time and time again we have insisted on the separation of employment and accommodation. And with results!
The House of Representatives votes for Separation of Employment and Accommodation
On 11 February 2021, a majority of the House of Representatives (Dutch parliament) voted in The Hague for a separation of employment and accommodation. This means that from now on every migrant worker must receive a separate contract for their accommodation and their employment. This creates tenancy rights for migrant workers and means that they will not immediately lose their accommodation if they lose their job.
Separation of employment and accommodation gives migrant workers security and at the same time breaks the hold that bosses have over temporary workers. Employment and accommodation may of course still be offered together as a package; only the rights of migrant workers are affected. The separation of employment and accommodation restores balance.
This vote has yet to be converted into a real law by the Dutch state. This will not happen overnight. Stay informed of the progress on our website.