Labour inspectors found 2,500 workers without permits in spot checks on companies last year, a 25% increase on 2008, Nos tv reports on Tuesday, quoting from the inspectorate’s annual report.
Almost one third came from Bulgaria and Romania, Nos said. Even though both countries are members of the EU, their nationals still need permits to work in the Netherlands.
The rise in illegal employment was strongest in the construction sector. According to social affairs minister Piet Hein Donner, this is because the sector has been hard hit by the economic crisis and employers are trying to cut costs, Nos said.
Fines
Cleaning companies and the catering trade also employ a lot of illegal labour.
Inspectors handed out fines totalling €26.5m to companies with illegal staff and almost €950,000 to firms breaking minimum wage laws.
The report also showed 76 people were killed in work-related accidents last year. Some 25% of serious accidents involved building companies, Nos said.
