The Municipality of Amsterdam and the labor market region of Greater Amsterdam are jointly investing 2.8 million euros in an approach to better support and inform labor migrants. Part of the approach includes new information points and a team that visits neighborhoods in the region.
The new approach ensures that labor migrants can work well-informed and safely, reducing the chances of problems and potential nuisance.
Increased Risk
In the Amsterdam region, an estimated 80,000 labor migrants live. They often work in sectors with labor shortages and are thus an important part of the local economy. However, labor migrants face an increased risk of encountering abuses, exploitation, and homelessness. Many labor migrants do not know where to find information about their rights or help. With this approach, we aim to improve this situation.
‘An Indispensable Part of Our Local Economy’
Councilor Rutger Groot Wassink (Social Affairs): “Labor migrants are an indispensable part of our local economy. At the same time, we see that they are increasingly disproportionately affected by issues such as exploitation and homelessness. Due to unscrupulous temp agencies and shady constructions, labor migrants become victims of a poorly protected labor market. Although the national government has announced better legislation, it is not happening quickly enough. As a city, we are therefore working with the region on an approach that ensures good information, appropriate support, and a place where labor migrants can report problems or exploitation more quickly and receive help.”
Approach to Labor Migration
Part of the approach is the Work in NL (WIN) point. Here, labor migrants can go for information, help, and support in various languages starting January 1, 2026. They can either visit in person or submit their questions digitally. In addition to fixed information points, a team will also actively engage with neighborhoods in the region. The team consists of experts with experience. They can answer questions and see more quickly if someone is in trouble. We are also improving registration so that labor migrants are more visible and can receive help faster.
Collaboration
Amsterdam collaborates with employers and landlords to improve the living and working conditions of labor migrants. Through the Good Employment Coalition, employers are informed about language courses, retraining, and good, safe housing. The existing reporting points and enforcement should also ensure that abuses come to light more quickly.
- Working - Approximately 130,000 labor migrants work in the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam (MRA). 60,000 of them work in Amsterdam. They primarily work in hospitality, logistics, retail, meal delivery, and through temp agencies.
- Living - Approximately 80,000 labor migrants reside in Amsterdam. They are spread throughout the city, mainly in the private rental sector.
- Origin - 84 percent of labor migrants in the MRA come from an EU country. The main countries of origin: 18 percent are from Poland, 8 percent from Spain, 7 percent from Romania, and also 7 percent from Italy.