Food industry must prepare for Wtta

Food companies that supply or hire personnel will face new rules. From 2028 onward, companies may only work with approved staffing providers. The new Wet toelating terbeschikkingstelling van arbeidskrachten (Wtta), best described as ‘Act on the Admission of Labour Leasing Providers’, is intended to create a fairer and safer labor leasing market. The Dutch government is therefore launching a campaign urging companies to start preparations quickly. According to the government, abuses in the labor leasing market still occur too often.

Preparation takes time

The Wtta will take effect on January 1, 2027. Enforcement by the Dutch Labor Inspectorate will begin on January 1, 2028. Staffing providers that meet the legal requirements will be listed in a public register managed by the Nederlandse Autoriteit Uitleenmarkt (NAU). To gain approval, companies must have their payroll and personnel administration in order. An inspection report, a Certificate of Conduct, and a security deposit are also mandatory.

Kees van Nieuwamerongen, director of the NAU, warns companies not to underestimate the preparation process. “We hear from the market that companies already going through the process identify an average of 18 major areas for improvement.”

Rules apply beyond staffing agencies

The law does not only apply to staffing agencies. Secondment firms, payroll companies, and other businesses that lease employees to third parties for payment also fall under the new rules. The same applies to companies that occasionally lend out employees and profit from the hours worked. Companies hiring external staff will also carry responsibility. They must verify whether a staffing provider appears in the public register before working together.

Campaign aims to encourage companies

With the campaign, the government wants to encourage companies to take action quickly. The campaign uses two fictional staffing providers: ‘De Goede Zaak’ and ‘Sjoemel Solutions’. According to Van Nieuwamerongen, the law is “an important step toward a fairer labor leasing market.” The approval system is intended to provide better oversight of the market and ensure fair competition between companies.

Toelatinguitleenmarkt.nl