Identified Violations
At a hospitality location in Breda, the Dutch Labour Inspectorate issued a warning because the company did not properly register employees working hours. The Inspectorate is also investigating possible violations of other labor laws, such as minimum wage and holiday pay regulations. They are also checking whether all employees have a valid work permit, which is required if someone from outside the EU wants to work in the Netherlands. Additionally, it was found that fire safety provisions at this location were not in order. The municipality of Breda is also checking whether the terrace complies with legal requirements. The entrepreneur must rectify these issues as soon as possible.

At a second hospitality business in Breda, the Labour Inspectorate found two employees who were too young to deliver meals. This constitutes prohibited child labor. Here too, proper registration of working hours was missing and a warning was issued. Furthermore, the Inspectorate is investigating wage payments because there are indications that employees were sometimes paid in cash, which may violate regulations.

At a third hospitality location in Oosterhout, the Labour Inspectorate has started investigations due to the lack of proper administration and possible underpayment. These are potential violations of minimum wage rules. The Environmental Service is also checking additional parts of the business administration.

What was inspected?
During the integrated inspections, among other things, the following were checked:

  • Municipal permits and regulations For example: whether the hospitality permits are correct, whether what is allowed in the zoning plan is being followed, and whether the General Local Regulation (APV) is complied with.
  • Environmental and safety rules Think of proper waste storage, fire safety, mandatory extinguishing equipment, noise standards, and other rules to prevent nuisance or danger.
  • Working conditions and personnel The Dutch Labour Inspectorate checked whether employees can work safely, are paid fairly, and whether there is no exploitation. The UWV checked whether employees are paid lawfully and whether there is no fraud with benefits.
  • Administration and tax matters The Tax Authorities checked whether the company’s administration is in order, tax rules are followed, and all income is correctly declared.
  • Import duties and excise taxes Customs checked whether products such as alcohol, tobacco, or other goods were imported correctly and whether all mandatory taxes were paid.

Ongoing criminal investigation and arrests
A week before the integrated inspections, the police, under the direction of the Public Prosecution Service, searched a residence in Oosterhout and a business premises in Breda as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. During these actions, a 34-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of involvement in money laundering. Signals emerged from the investigation that the management of the hospitality businesses might not have been in order. These signals were the reason to carry out integrated inspections alongside the criminal investigation.
 

Why integrated inspections?
By working together, municipalities and enforcement partners can intervene faster and more effectively and prevent situations from worsening. During an integrated inspection, different parties combine their efforts to tackle undermining crime. By combining information, a more complete picture of possible abuses emerges. Violations can be addressed immediately, and it becomes harder for criminals to settle or continue activities in a municipality. Integrated inspections thus help maintain a safe, livable, and fair environment for residents and entrepreneurs. Within the Baronie region, these integrated inspections are increasingly carried out jointly. Government partners bring their knowledge and expertise together at one time and jointly check compliance with laws and regulations.

This makes the approach more effective and also ensures that entrepreneurs do not have to be checked multiple times by different parties.

Reporting helps!
Every report can make a difference. Sometimes one small observation is exactly the missing piece needed to tackle abuses or undermining crime. Even if you have doubts: reporting is always allowed. The municipalities and their partners take every report seriously and handle it carefully.

Ways to report:

  • In case of emergency: call 112
  • No emergency but police needed: 0900-8844
  • Report Crime Anonymously: 0800-7000 (free) or www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl
  • The municipalities: Oosterhout: 14 0162
    Breda: 14 076

Reporting unfair, unsafe, or unhealthy working conditions can be done via the Dutch Labour Inspectorate website.