Migrant workers need better protection at work

FNV welcomes the "Veiligheid Arbeidsmigranten"Migrant Worker Safety report by the Dutch Safety Board and agrees with both its findings and proposed solutions. The union stresses that the report addresses not just symptoms, but the core issues. Migrant workers often stay silent about unsafe conditions due to fear of losing their jobs.

FNV supports the call for shorter outsourcing chains and permanent contracts. “This is far from the first alarming report,” says Leo Hartveld. “But we see little change. We regularly hear from migrant workers who are forced to work while sick or receive no support after an accident. Many are too afraid to report it.”

Some suffer long-term health problems from working with hazardous materials. These issues are widespread, yet rarely make headlines.

Profit over people

FNV criticises the industry built around recruiting, transporting, housing, and outsourcing migrant labour. It’s a profitable system, but at the expense of basic rights and safety.

Migrant workers are more likely to have flexible, insecure contracts, take on physically demanding shifts, and face greater risk of workplace accidents. Access to training, development, and a healthy work-life balance is often lacking. Many are easily replaced when they can no longer work.

Despite multiple reports and analyses, conditions have not improved. FNV calls for real change: the Labour Inspectorate must be empowered to act more decisively—and actually do so.

Hartveld stresses that migrant workers should receive the same treatment and protection as Dutch workers. Equal rights, access to health and safety care, and social security must be guaranteed. Permanent contracts should become standard to reduce abuse.

FNV