The Netherlands’ Social and Economic Council (SER) says the government should tighten oversight of labour migration while improving protection for foreign workers. In a new recommendation to the caretaker cabinet, SER argues the economy needs skilled workers in sectors like healthcare and tech, but warns that parts of the labour market rely too much on cheap, flexible labour, which can drive exploitation and slow investment in automation.
What SER is asking for
SER’s line is two-fold: attract the workers the economy truly needs and raise standards for everyone else. That includes stronger action against abuse by temp agencies and employers, more inspections and higher fines, and better housing and basic security for low-paid migrants. The advisory body estimates there are 735,000 to 1.1 million foreign workers in the Netherlands, and says too many still face poor accommodation, low pay, and unsafe conditions.
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Rules and court rulings
The call comes as policy and case law move in the same direction. From 2025, the Labour Inspectorate can levy higher fines on employers who hire non-EU staff without the right permits, part of a wider push to curb illegal work and abuse. In parallel, a court recently ruled that tying a migrant worker’s housing directly to their job is unlawful, a practice long criticised for making people afraid to report problems. The government has also trailed tighter rules in the highly-skilled migrant scheme to target genuine shortages and police misuse.
SER says the Netherlands depends partly on foreign labour, especially where shortages are acute, but also stresses there are “limits to what society can handle.” The message is to reduce inflows where possible by boosting productivity and training, while ensuring better conditions for the workers who are here, such as a short income guarantee after job loss so people aren’t evicted overnight when contracts end.
What happens next
SER’s advice is non-binding, but governments often use it to shape policy. With elections approaching, labour migration is likely to feature in party plans. Any changes would still need parliamentary debate and, in some cases, EU-level coordination. For now, the signal from SER is clear: raise the bar on enforcement and worker welfare, and be more selective about who is recruited and why.
