site.btaEveryone Planning to Work in the Netherlands Should Be Well-Prepared, Het Juridisch Loket Legal Bureau Advises

The legal bureau Het Juridisch Loket in the Netherlands advises everyone planning to work in this country to be well-prepared. There are clear rules that employers must follow under Dutch law, explains Het Juridisch Loket.

In November 2024, Bulgarian representatives of Het Juridisch Loket participated in an information day for the Bulgarian community in Eindhoven, organized by the Bulgarian Hub Eindhoven Association. Their presence provided an opportunity for the legal bureau to connect with members of the Bulgarian community in Eindhoven.

“Het Juridisch Loket has a dedicated team of legal advisors who assist labour migrants in their native language,” Noor Zwinkels, a communications advisor at the legal organization, told BTA.

Here is the full text of the interview with Noor Zwinkels:

Are reports about unfair employers in the Netherlands frequent, and what specific data do you have about Eindhoven?

Currently, we see that approximately 20% of the cases reported to us involve fraudulent employers. So, it happens quite often. However, we cannot share specific data regarding Eindhoven.

When should an employee recognize a "red flag" signaling that their employer might be unreliable?

It is very important to be well-prepared if you come to work in the Netherlands. There are clear rules that employers must follow under Dutch law. The Dutch government has a user-friendly website with information about working and living in the Netherlands: https://workinnl.nl, where the information is also available in Bulgarian.

For example, never start working without knowing your employment conditions. This includes your (statutory or collective labour agreement) salary, vacation days, holiday pay, and rights to continued payment during sick leave. Always ensure you have written proof of your contract terms, even if it’s via email. This documentation can serve as evidence if your employer fails to honour the agreements.

What should Bulgarians in the Netherlands pay particular attention to in the labour market?

Foreign workers are often hired for positions that local residents are less inclined to take. These jobs typically involve physically demanding work, long hours, and repetitive tasks. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is - this should be a clear warning sign.

If an employee experiences unfair treatment by their employer, which organization or institution should they contact to protect their rights?

Het Juridisch Loket has a dedicated team of legal advisors who assist labour migrants in their native language. Whether the issue involves the employer, housing, or other concerns, this team is available to provide guidance on all matters related to foreign workers' rights. 

Can you share a specific case involving an unfair employer - perhaps one you would consider the most difficult to resolve?

Unfortunately, there are multiple cases that are both complex and deeply affect the employee's quality of life. For example, we dealt with an employee whose payslips showed he was receiving the minimum wage. However, after being paid, he was required to accompany someone to an ATM to withdraw large amounts of money, allegedly for employer-arranged housing. At times, this left the employee with just EUR 7 per week.

Although the Dutch Labor Inspectorate fined the employer, these fines were unlawfully deducted from the employee's wages. The employee ultimately left this exploitative situation and, after finding work with a trustworthy employer, gained the confidence to take legal action.

In such cases, we not only help the employee but also ensure the employer is held accountable by reporting exploitation.

Was the information day in Eindhoven useful for you? How many people approached you?

Yes, we could reach out to people from the Bulgarian community in Eindhoven. We handed out our flyers with contact information to people who were in need of legal support. However, none of them have reached out to us yet. We believe there may be a hesitation or barrier to seeking help in a foreign country. It is important to note that we have a dedicated team of Bulgarian- and Turkish-speaking legal advisors who are available to assist Bulgarians living and working in the Netherlands.