Spanish labour migrants exploited in the Netherlands

Question for written answer E-004892/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Marit Maij (S&D), Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D), Idoia Mendia (S&D)

Spanish media recently reported cases of Spanish labour migrants being exploited in the Netherlands. Workers are promised decent conditions but instead face exploitation in economically depressed sectors. Temporary agencies recruit workers and control every aspect of their lives, including housing, while denying them permanent contracts. The resulting subcontracting chains create deliberate confusion about who is accountable for these workers. They often earn only the minimum wage, with housing costs deducted directly from their pay.

• 1.The Netherlands has still not transposed the minimum wage directive[1] in national law. What actions is the Commission planning to take to ensure that the Netherlands will transpose this directive as soon as possible?
• 2.Temporary agents deduct the costs of housing from the minimum wage these workers earn. How does the Commission interpret this in the light of the minimum wage directive, which explicitly limits the possibilities for exceptions to the minimum wage?
• 3.What action will the Commission take to ensure that subcontracting chains are reduced in the EU, in order to ensure that those who are responsible for the workers will be held responsible? Will the Commission present a legislative proposal to limit the chain of subcontracting?

Submitted: 10.12.2025

• [1] OJ L 275, 25.10.2022, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2041/oj.