How does the new law protect the position of migrant workers?
On April 15, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the Labor Supply Act. The law aims to improve the position of workers, particularly migrant workers.
With this bill, the government is implementing the recommendation of the Task Force on the Protection of Migrant Workers, led by Emile Roemer, to better regulate the temporary employment sector. The report of this Task Force highlights abuses in the temporary employment sector, particularly with regard to migrant workers.
Broad scope
The bill aims to prevent these abuses by introducing an admission system for companies that provide workers within the meaning of the Labor Allocation by Intermediaries Act (Waadi). The bill therefore applies not only to temporary employment agencies, but to all companies that structurally provide workers, even if this is done as a secondary activity. This means, for example, that IT service providers and other service providers may also fall within the scope of the law.
Admission system
Under the new law, such lenders may only operate on the market if they are listed in a public register. This is called the admission requirement. Companies apply for access to the public register to the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment. When applying, they must demonstrate that they comply with the law and regulations by means of an inspection report. The minister decides whether or not a temporary employment agency will be included in the public register. Under the law, hirers of workers are obliged to check via the public register whether the lenders they work with are authorized.
Labor Inspectorate
The Dutch Labor Inspectorate supervises the obligations of hirers and lenders. To enforce this, the Dutch Labor Inspectorate is expanding its capacity. Violations of the lending and hiring ban are punished by the Dutch Labor Inspectorate with fines.
Entry into force
The bill still has to be approved by the Senate. The date of its consideration in the Senate is not yet known. The law is due to come into force on January 1, 2027. The licensing requirement will apply from January 1, 2028. From then on, it will be prohibited to provide workers in the Netherlands without a license. The law includes a temporary transitional arrangement under which lenders can apply for a one-time license with the SNA quality mark from the Labor Standards Foundation.
Bill