Roadmap meat sector: emphasis on fair work and oversight

The Centrale Organisatie voor de Vleessector (COV), alongside Nepluvi, ABU, and NBBU, has reached new agreements with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment to address issues involving employment agencies in the meat sector. These additional measures, which build on existing public and private efforts, aim to improve transparency and prevent exploitation within the sector. A roadmap outlining specific actions was presented during a well-attended meeting in September, where members of COV and associated employment agencies gathered.

Stricter regulations and oversight

A key focus within this roadmap is the handling of immediate dismissals, especially concerning international employees who often leave without notice. Last summer, the Labour Inspectorate reported a notable number of immediate dismissals, but the names of the involved agencies have yet to be disclosed. COV highlights the importance of accurate information before drawing conclusions on the legality of these dismissals. In collaboration with Normec, COV is conducting a detailed investigation into the nature and extent of these dismissals, with preliminary findings expected in November.

Regional support for migrant workers

COV also supports the national initiative WorkinNL, which is dedicated to providing regional assistance to migrant workers in cities such as Veghel, Helmond, and Rotterdam. This network offers accessible information to migrants in their own languages and enables them to report issues. A pilot project with VION demonstrates how local on-site consultations foster open communication with migrant workers.

Through these steps, COV aims to foster responsible and transparent employment practices within the meat sector.

Cov.nl