Government moves to tackle abuse of worker secondment
New measures aim to prevent workers from outside the EU being brought to the Netherlands through a back door and employed under poor conditions.
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The government wants to tighten the rules on the secondment of workers from outside the European Union. A letter to the Lower House outlines measures to tackle abuse without fully suspending the European system of cross-border services.
Workers from countries outside the EU can be seconded to the Netherlands through a company in another EU member state, subject to certain conditions. This is permitted when they hold the required work and residence permits there. The government describes this route as part of the free movement of services within the European Union.
According to the letter to the Lower House, the route also carries risks. The Labour Inspectorate and various advisory bodies have highlighted these workers’ vulnerability, reduced visibility of labour migration and the risk of unfair competition. The letter says Dutch taxes and social-security contributions are not always paid in the same way as when workers are employed directly in the Netherlands.
The announced approach follows earlier motions by the Lower House and an investigation into the unlawful secondment of third-country nationals. The government wants to clarify the rules and strengthen enforcement. It is also examining the role of the European Labour Authority in cross-border supervision.
The proposal’s central point is not to ban every secondment of a worker from outside the EU. European rules allow this form of secondment under certain conditions. The government is therefore looking for ways to distinguish abuse more effectively from legitimate service provision.
The letter to the Lower House also refers to figures from the national reporting portal. Foreign employers must register seconded workers there. The letter stresses that this registration does not automatically provide a complete picture of the number of workers, because reports depend on proper compliance and registration.
For employers, the approach could mean additional administrative obligations. For workers, it should mainly bring better protection and greater oversight. The final consequences will depend on the specific regulations and the scope allowed by European law. The letter describes policy intentions and changes, not a ban that has already been introduced.
The political conflict therefore lies between two goals: preserving room for cross-border work where companies need it, and preventing secondment from being used to evade employment conditions, supervision or contributions. The government is opting for tighter rules and European cooperation, but the precise implementation still needs to be worked out.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The secondment of third-country nationals is permitted under European conditions.
- The government wants to tackle abuse and vulnerability more effectively.
- The precise new regulations have not yet been fully established.
Left
Arguments Worker protection should take precedence over cheap and flexible labour deployed through complex cross-border arrangements. Supervision, equal treatment and enforcement should be strengthened.
Values Workers’ rights, equal pay for equal work and social security.
Consequences Employers may face higher costs, but abuses and underpayment could decline.
Centre
Arguments The rules should distinguish between legitimate European service provision and sham arrangements. European cooperation and workable registration are more important than a total national ban.
Values Legal certainty, feasibility and balance between the labour market and protection.
Consequences A targeted approach could limit abuse without blocking necessary cross-border services.
Right
Arguments The Netherlands must gain more control over labour migration and prevent companies from circumventing rules through secondment. At the same time, companies must retain access to workers when the labour market requires it.
Values National control, economic competitiveness and enforcement.
Consequences Stricter admission rules could reduce the labour supply, but also make competition over employment conditions fairer.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The policy direction, legal context and risks mentioned can be found in the letter to the Lower House and government information. The article clearly distinguishes between announced measures and definitive legislation.
- confirmed Third-country nationals can be seconded to the Netherlands from another EU member state under certain conditions. — This is stated in the letter to the Lower House on secondment. source
- confirmed The government wants to counter unlawful secondment. — The letter to the Lower House describes the policy approach and proposed changes. source
- confirmed The new rules do not yet amount to a complete ban. — The source describes changes and investigations, not a general ban. source
Editor's note
The letter to the Lower House and existing government information confirm the policy direction. The precise legal measures, timetable and effects have not yet been finalised.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „arbeidsmigranten detachering”
- AD — „arbeidsmigranten detachering”
- de Volkskrant — „arbeidsmigranten detachering”