Employers who arrange housing for their employees may withhold up to 25% of the minimum wage for this purpose. There were plans to phase out this regulation, but the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment has decided not to proceed with these plans. The House of Representatives will debate this decision on Thursday, 27 November. The debate can be followed from 10:15 via Debat Direct. Live subtitles are available. 

For this debate, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, Mariëlle Paul, will come to the House of Representatives.

Decision Reversal

The regulation allowing withholding up to 25% of the minimum wage for housing is mainly used in sectors with many migrant workers. Because this can lead to undesirable profit models and makes migrant workers dependent on their employer, the cabinet decided to phase out the regulation step by step. On 30 October 2025, Minister Paul in a letter announced the decision to reverse this. There is a risk that abolishing the withholding possibility at this time would have adverse effects on the migrant worker, she writes.

Negative Effects

In a second letter, dated 20 November 2025, Minister Paul further explains the decision. Abolishing the possibility to withhold from the minimum wage for housing leads to less transparency on housing costs charged by the employer and could negatively affect the quality of housing, she writes. Additionally, it could make it less attractive for employers to offer housing. Members of Parliament will discuss the letters and the ministers decision during the debate.

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