The Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid or SZW for short) published in January 2009 the Tagalog translation of an important brochure relevant to many Pilipinos employed under exploitative conditions in the Netherlands. 

This brochure is entitled “Exploitation at the Workplace” (“Hinggil sa Trabaho at Pagsasamantala” translated by the author). Giving a clearcut guideline on how employees can determine whether they are being exploited at their workplace or not, this brochure also shows very concrete steps that can be taken when exploitation is suspected.

  

How to Know If Exploitation is Present

First of all, you are asked if you suspect you or someone you know is being exploited, how do you know or identify if exploitation is practised?

 

You are being exploited when:

1. You are asked to do work that is dangerous or harmful to your health;

2. You are not allowed to keep your own passport or travel documents;

3. You have to pay a heavy debt to your employer;

4. You get little or no payment for the work you do;

5. You are maltreated, blackmailed or threatened;

6. Your employer threatens to report that you are in the Netherlands illegally;

7. You are unable to go where you like outside working hours;

8. You are not able to see a doctor or go to hospital if you are ill.

 

If two or more of the things mentioned above apply to you or someone you know, then it is likely that you are being exploited. You are asked not to delay and to ask for help immediately.

 

How to Get Help

Next, the brochure tells you where you can get help. Even if you are not sure you or someone you know is being exploited, you can contact the People-Trafficking Coordination Centre (CoMensha), an indedenpent organization which gives information and helps people by telling them how they can report problems to the police or file a complaint to the Dutch Labour Inspection. COMENSHA arranges shelter for victims of exploitation and people trafficking. Everything sid to them will be treated in confidence. Details bout how to contact CoMensha will be given at the end of this article.

 

Important: the B9 provision under Dutch Law

Further, once it has been determined that you are a victim of exploitation or human-trafficking, you can make use of the B9 provision under Dutch Law which gives you the following rights:

1. the right to a period of reflection of three months to decide whether you will file a complaint or not. You will not be deported during this period.

2. The right to stay in a shelter, receive welfare benefits and medical help.

3. The right to a temporary residence permit if you help the authorities detect and prosecute suspects. This permit will be valid while the enquiries are going on and during legal action;

4. The right to work in the Netherlands while you hold this residence permit.

 

Two Other Possibilities besides CoMenSha:

If you or someone you know are underpaid or are working under bad conditions, you can also file a complaint to the Labor Inspectorate via its website: www.arbeidsinpectie.nl

 

Or suppose you have information about exploitation being practiced or human-trafficking, but you are hesitant or cannot report this to the police, you can call anonymously with Meld Misdaad Anoniem: 0800-7000

 

With the publication of this brochure, the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment hopes to help people, especially those coming from foreign countries, who have to work under exploitative conditions. Aside from English, Dutch and now the Pilipino language version, it is also available in other languages. Anyone wishing to order copies of the brochure or to ask for more information can call: 0800-8051 (mo-Fri; 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or visit the website www.postbus51.nl (website only in Dutch)

 

How to Contact CoMenSha: via e-mail: info@comensha.nl or via telephone: 033-448-11-86 (Mon– Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)

You can give information in Dutch or English. All information will be treated in confidence.

 

How to Order copies of this Brochure: you can write to:

Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment

(Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid or SWZ)

Postbus 90801

2509 LV The Hague

Order nr: 171_en (for English)

171-tl (for Tagalog)

 

Please indicate in your letter the number of copies you want and indicate clearly your return address.

This brochure is available gratis.

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