Half of staffing agencies operate without certification

The Dutch staffing sector includes thousands of companies operating without supervision. A new analysis by the Foundation for Compliance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Temporary Workers (SNCU) shows that over half of the 16,000 active staffing agencies do not hold any certification or belong to an industry association.

The SNCU used data from the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). While there are 84,110 KvK registrations listing staffing as a main or secondary activity, only 3,073 companies actually pay payroll taxes. Together, these companies were responsible for €18.7 billion in wages in 2024. Within this group, 84 agencies accounted for half of that wage total, while over 2,100 agencies each paid less than €1 million annually.

Payrolls without registration

One notable segment includes 1,282 companies that pay wages but are not affiliated with any certification or industry body. These businesses avoid any kind of oversight, increasing risks for both temporary workers and compliant companies.

According to SNCU director Jaap Buis, this creates unfair competition and undermines working conditions. “There’s a significant number of companies avoiding every form of regulation. That puts workers at risk and disrupts the market for those who follow the rules.”

New certification requirement ahead

The upcoming Labour Provision Certification Act (WTTA) is set to change this landscape. It will require all companies listing staffing as a primary or secondary activity to obtain certification. This includes, for instance, contractors who second staff. The SNCU expects many smaller agencies won’t be able to cope with the new requirements and will either shut down or continue operating off the radar.

The SNCU sees targeted collaboration as key to effective enforcement. “We know where the risks are. If we coordinate actions and share data with the Tax Authority and Labour Inspectorate, we can make real progress,” says Buis.

The goal remains clear: a fair labour market where temporary workers are protected and companies compete on quality, not by cutting corners.