Ched Rick Gatchalian

The Dutch Labour Inspectorate investigates the case of Filipino and Indonesian workers allegedly exploited by a Dutch company. Photo from The Dutch Labour Inspectorate website

Article (news)

Dutch Public Prosecution, migrant group spar over alleged exploitation case of 11 OFWs

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176173306454217568702207731753969956181arbo-in-bedrijf-2022-2023.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Dutch Labour Inspectorate investigates the case of Filipino and Indonesian workers allegedly exploited by a Dutch company. Photo from The Dutch Labour Inspectorate website/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Dutch Labour Inspectorate investigates the case of Filipino and Indonesian workers allegedly exploited by a Dutch company. <em>Photo from The Dutch Labour Inspectorate website/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>THE NETHERLANDS — The Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) of the Netherlands concluded that Filipino workers were not exploited at a gym chain in Amsterdam. </p><p>The OM’s official report published on its website stated that after reviewing the reports filed by the 11 cleaners who worked there, “the suspicion of human trafficking, which constitutes labor exploitation, has been dropped in the criminal investigation.” </p><p>However, the human smuggling and forgery probes continue.</p><p>The Dutch Labor Inspectorate received reports of possible labor exploitation at an Amsterdam gym chain in June 2025 and found Filipino cleaners without legal work permits in the Netherlands.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/9/3/filipinos-abused-by-dutch-firm-receive-2nd-wave-of-financial-aid-from-ph-gov-t-1150"><strong>Filipinos abused by Dutch firm receive 2nd wave of financial aid from PH gov&#x27;t</strong></a></div><p>In its statement, the OM said human trafficking and human smuggling are different offenses under Dutch law, with human smuggling being a crime against the state.</p><p>&quot;This can occur when people are assisted to enter the Netherlands or are helped to reside illegally in the Netherlands for profit.&quot;</p><p>Human trafficking is a crime against a person and “requires abuse of a person&#x27;s vulnerable position or deception to induce them to work or continue working,&quot; the OM added.</p><p>Human smuggling carries the &quot;maximum prison sentence&quot;, which is lifetime imprisonment, while human trafficking has the potential penalty of up to 12 years in prison.</p><p>The Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands met with and provided monetary aid to the said 11 overseas Filipino workers who have ongoing labor-related complaints against their former employer in Amsterdam.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Migrant workers group to file appeal, express deep outrage</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Migrante Netherlands reiterated its stance that the case of the workers is “a clear case of human trafficking” as it expressed &quot;deep outrage&quot; at the prosecutors&#x27; decision.</p><p>“We’re currently in talks with the lawyers of the workers to discuss legal remedies including appealing the decision of the OM,” Mark Pascual, Migrante campaigns officer, said, </p><p>In a statement, the group questioned the decision, saying: “These workers were deceived into traveling to the Netherlands under false promises of legal papers and decent work. Upon arrival, they were made to work up to 12 hours a day without proper breaks, and were forced to live in cramped, undignified conditions unfit for any worker.”</p><p>Migrante cited that the circumstances the Filipino workers went through satisfy the definition of human trafficking stated in the Palermo Protocol and the Dutch Criminal Code (Article 273f): “Under both Dutch and international law, human trafficking occurs when individuals are recruited, transported, and employed through deception or coercion for the purpose of exploitation.”</p><p>The group demanded urgent steps from the Philippine government “to hold the employer accountable for its exploitative labor practices” by protecting, fully supporting the workers, ensuring justice, and providing legal assistance.</p><p>ABS-CBN News reached out to The Philippine Embassy at The Hague, but they declined to comment.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/8/9/migrant-groups-push-for-justice-for-11-filipinos-allegedly-exploited-by-dutch-employer-0925"><strong>Migrant groups push for justice for 11 Filipinos allegedly exploited by Dutch employer</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Employer welcomes OM’s decision</strong></div><p>The gym chain welcomed the result of the investigation, saying it was “proud that our open, honest, and transparent way of working has been confirmed.”</p><p>It said that it is “fully confident” of the dismissal of the other accusations.</p><p>The gym told ABS CBN News that “the authorities have informed us that another investigation is still ongoing, and we will communicate any new developments publicly once available.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Amsterdam gym chain Saints &amp; Stars</strong></div><p>ABS-CBN News reported about the plight of Filipino and Indonesian workers following a Dutch Labor Inspectorate report of alleged labor abuse at the popular gym chain, Saints &amp; Stars, in July 2025. The gym is still operational.</p><p>Saints &amp; Stars owner Tom Moos denied all accusations and reaffirmed the gym&#x27;s dedication to fighting labor exploitation.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F8MFF4MnKmk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) of the Netherlands concluded that Filipino workers were not exploited at a gym chain in Amsterdam, while Migrante Netherlands continues to urge OM to rethink its position.</p>

The Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) of the Netherlands concluded that Filipino workers were not exploited at a gym chain in Amsterdam, while Migrante Netherlands continues to urge OM to rethink its position.

Dutch prosecutors, migrant group spar over alleged exploitation case of 11 OFWs

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Dutch prosecutors, migrant group spar over alleged exploitation case of 11 OFWs

Angelica Cabahug

Published October 29, 2025 06:34 PM PHT

Read More:

Netherlands

Dutch employer

Migrant workers

OFWs

Human trafficking

Human smuggling

Exploitation

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