Netherlands: heavier sanctions against cheating businesses

On March 10th, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Henk Kamp sent a letter to the Parliament explaining the need to punish businesses that don’t comply with labor law.  The Minister mostly wants to target habitual offenders.  “The labor inspectorate cannot struggle with the same cheaters” the Minister explained.  In 2010, average fines against businesses breaking the law amounted to €15,000, and 20 businesses that committed three subsequent offenses were sent to court.  The only problem is that the verdicts weren’t heavier than the fines.  Hence the public powers’ will to strike harder.
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15,000, and 20 businesses that committed three subsequent offenses were sent to court. The only problem is that the verdicts weren’t heavier than the fines. Hence the public powers’ will to strike harder.

The fines, already quite heavy (€8,000 per illegal worker since January 1, 2005 and €6,700 per worker paid less than minimum wage since march 1, 2007), are going to increase for employers using foreign workers who are hardly aware of their rights – even though the website of the Ministry of L

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