The Dutch economy runs on people, and increasingly, these are people from beyond our borders. From knowledge migrants from India or China to labor migrants from Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria – they are indispensable in all sectors. Also in the fish processing sector. According to the Advisory Council on Migration, some 800,000 labor migrants are now active in our country. They keep production processes running, fill personnel gaps and ensure that companies can fulfill their promises. But then the question arises: how do we ensure that this contribution is fair?
Because despite all the fine words and policy intentions, persistent signals continue to come in about abuses. Exploitation, underpayment, long working days, sleeping on the job – yes, even in the Netherlands. The Labor Inspectorate reported distressing situations again last year. And yet it is precisely this group of people who help us stay afloat due to staff shortages. So how come we protect their position so little?
Motion
At the same time, there is movement. Legislation has been tightened, labor market shortages are forcing employers to improve conditions, and more and more companies are realizing that being a good employer also offers strategic advantages. But practice shows that the gap between paper ambitions and actual improvement remains large. And that poses a risk – not only to people, but also to the continuity of companies themselves.
According to CBS, more than 60% of EU labor migrants leave the Netherlands again within five years. With that, not only do valuable workers walk out the door, but also accumulated knowledge, experience and stability. For a sector like fish processing, where flexibility and craftsmanship come together, this is a vulnerable scenario. Especially now that fewer and fewer people are willing to leave their lives elsewhere for work in a cold factory hall – not even for a good salary.
Time for a different approach
Therefore, it is time for a different approach. The seafood chain, like many other food chains, desperately needs migrant workers, but in a way that is future-proof. That starts with recognizing their value – and addressing the downsides of the current system. Most migrant workers are hired through secondments. Many do their jobs well. But we now know that rogue middlemen also operate. Are we willing to name that out loud? And to check for it structurally?
Additional challenge
An additional challenge: many migrants want to earn as much as possible in a short period of time and spend as little as possible. Housing then becomes a cost to the migrant, not a quality question. For some, this feels like freedom of choice – but in practice it often leads to inhumane situations. That there is exploitation of some of these migrant workers, they themselves do not always see it that way. And as long as they themselves do not complain and just work hard, there is no urgency for many companies to take action.
It can be different
Yet it can be done differently. Look at OTTO Work Force, an Empact client, which posts migrant workers on the basis of a different philosophy: ‘We take care of our people.’ Not an empty slogan, but an approach in which due diligence is the foundation. A way of working in which risks are not hidden away but named, controlled and minimized. And with a clear vision: work and housing must be decoupled – to ensure true freedom of choice and protection.
This is not a soft message, but it is a necessary one. Because if we need people to keep our chains running, we must also take responsibility for their well-being. Not because we have to by legislation – but because it is decent. And because, in the long run, it is simply the only way to keep growing.
The fish chain of tomorrow is not only clean and efficient – but also fair and people-oriented. The frameworks are in place. So are the examples. What remains is the will to act. So let’s start there, shall we?