A motion to impose a ban on temporary employment for sectors such as greenhouse horticulture, the meat processing industry, and distribution was rejected on Tuesday in the Dutch House of Representatives. Frans Timmermans (PvdA-GroenLinks) and Jimmy Dijk (SP) proposed the motion to require companies in these sectors to directly employ workers through a legal amendment. According to Timmermans, this would improve working conditions and promote fairer employment practices, as he believes the sector is profitable enough to support this.
Before the vote, local political parties in Westland urged the motion to be rejected, arguing that it would severely impact the regional economy, where greenhouse horticulture and distribution are vital.
Although the motion was not passed, the debate on labor migrant abuses continues. Minister Van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment emphasized that a complete ban on temporary employment would only be a last resort but stated his determination to address ongoing abuses.
Another motion by Timmermans and Dijk, requesting an updated list of temporary employment agencies fined under the Fair Employment Act (Wet aanpak schijnconstructies), was approved. This demonstrates that the House is taking steps to combat labor abuses, although a total ban on temporary work is not currently seen as the solution.