The Dutch parliament wants stricter controls on workers coming from outside the European Union (EU). Lawmakers argue that current policies have gaps allowing companies to circumvent Dutch labor laws and wages.
Dutch lawmakers target “backdoor”
Members of the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, call for new limits on non-EU workers coming to the Netherlands through other EU countries.
Several major political parties claim that companies are using the current system as a “backdoor” to avoid Dutch labor laws.
Under existing EU rules, firms in one EU nation can hire workers from non-EU countries and then send them to work in another EU country for a short period.
For example, a company in Slovakia could hire workers from Uzbekistan and then send them to work for projects in the Netherlands.
However, Dutch lawmakers argue that this system is often abused. In practice, many of these workers never actually work in the country that initially hired them. Instead, the company sends them straight to the Netherlands.
Thierry Aartsen, a member of parliament from the VVD party, stated that these companies avoid paying the proper wages and benefits. He believes that this practice goes against the spirit of EU legislation on labor mobility.
Proposals to tighten Dutch regulations
Several political groups in the Netherlands have suggested ideas to restrict this form of labor migration:
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Minimum work period: The VVD suggests that non-EU workers should spend a set amount of time working in the country that first hired them before they can be sent to the Netherlands.
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Wage threshold: The D66 party wants to allow this arrangement for workers who earn at least 125% of the Dutch minimum wage.
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Stricter enforcement: Multiple parties call for closer monitoring and penalties for companies that misuse the current system.
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EU-level changes: Some lawmakers want the Dutch government to push for changes to EU-wide labor mobility rules.
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Concerns over wage suppression and worker exploitation
Dutch politicians cite multiple concerns driving their push for new restrictions:
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Undercutting Dutch wages: Companies can pay less by hiring workers from countries with weaker labor laws.
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Exploitative conditions: Some argue that the current system leads to poor working and living conditions for migrant workers.
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Displacement of EU workers: There are concerns that even workers from Eastern EU countries are losing jobs in the Netherlands because of this practice.
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Violation of EU principles: Critics believe that the system goes against the original idea of free movement of workers in the EU.
Minister urged to seek EU support for rule changes
The SGP party called on Eddy van Hijum, the Minister of Social Affairs, to lobby other EU countries for stricter regulations.
Van Hijum has taken a cautious approach so far, stating: “A ban would be a far-reaching step, a last resort. That is why we are looking at the situation carefully.”
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Scale of labor migration to the Netherlands
To understand the context of this debate, it’s helpful to look at recent immigration statistics for the Netherlands:
In 2022, the Netherlands saw significant inflows of EU/EFTA citizens:
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46,700 came for work
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31,630 for family reasons
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18,680 for education
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31,855 for unspecified reasons
While these numbers cover all EU/EFTA immigration, they highlight the scale of labor-related movement to the Netherlands.
Broader European context of labor migration debates
The Dutch parliament's concerns reflect wider debates across the EU about managing labor migration and its economic impacts:
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Skills shortages: Many EU countries face labor shortages in key sectors, increasing demand for foreign workers.
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Aging populations: Demographic trends in many EU nations are increasing reliance on migrant labor to support economic growth and social systems.
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Integration challenges: Countries struggle to balance economic needs with concerns about social cohesion and cultural integration of large migrant populations.
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Intra-EU disparities: Significant wage and living standard differences between EU member states complicate labor mobility issues.
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Potential economic impacts of restricting labor migration
The proposed limits on non-EU labor migration could have significant economic consequences for the Netherlands.
Certain sectors heavily reliant on migrant workers might face acute labor shortages or increased operational costs if the supply of foreign labor is restricted.
This could particularly affect industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality, which often depend on flexible, seasonal workforces.
Restricting the influx of lower-wage workers could also exert upward pressure on wages in some industries.
While this might benefit Dutch workers in the short term, it could also lead to higher consumer prices and potentially reduced competitiveness for some businesses.
Impact on short-term and long-term visitors to EU
The Dutch parliament's push to limit labor migration could have far-reaching effects on both short-term and long-term visitors to the EU.
Non-EU workers might face longer waiting periods and higher income requirements to work in the Netherlands. This could lead to more stringent verification of employment status and history within the EU.
For EU job seekers, these restrictions might create more opportunities and potentially increase wages in sectors currently relying on non-EU workers.
While the debate focuses on long-term labor migration, it could indirectly impact short-term travel policies.
The implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and increased scrutiny of Schengen visa applications align with this trend of tighter migration monitoring.
Short-term business visitors might also face additional questions or documentation requirements to ensure compliance with labor migration rules.
Complex challenges ahead for EU labor markets
The Dutch parliament’s push to limit non-EU labor migration through other EU countries highlights the ongoing tensions between economic needs, social concerns, and EU principles of free movement.
As the Netherlands debates potential policy changes, other EU nations will likely watch closely, potentially reassessing their own approaches to managing foreign workers.