The Dutch I-CLAIM team at Utrecht University has recently published two country reports that examine the position of irregular migrants in the Netherlands, with a focus on domestic work and food delivery work. The studies show how workers without residence status contribute to essential sectors of the Dutch economy, while also being particularly vulnerable to precarious working conditions and limited protection.

Widespread Press Coverage

Following the launch, the reports have been featured in several national outlets and academic platforms:

· The press release appeared on Utrecht University’s website: “Structurele uitbuiting van arbeiders zonder verblijfsstatus in Nederlandse schoonmaak- en maaltijdbezorgindustrie” (In English: Structural exploitation of workers without residence status in the Dutch cleaning and meal delivery industry).

·       Coverage in newspapers including Het Parool, de Volkskrant, and Nederlands Dagblad connected recent cases to the research findings.

·       In Het Parool, I-CLAIM researcher Ilse van Liempt explained that the exploitation at Saints & Stars should not come as a surprise, noting: “We hebben in Nederland geen humaan beeld van deze mensen.” (In English: In the Netherlands we do not have a humane image of these people). 

·       Dr. Ilse van Liempt also discussed the results in an interview with NOS Radio 1 Journaal.

Reports Released Amid Public Debate

The publication of the reports coincided with the latest developments in the Netherlands and the media coverage of a case at the luxury Amsterdam gym Saints & Stars, where 16 irregular migrant cleaners were found working under exploitative conditions. This case has been widely discussed in the Dutch press and has drawn attention to the broader structural issues documented already in I-CLAIM’s research.

Access the Reports

The full country reports are available on the I-CLAIM website:

·       Irregular Migrants in the Dutch Domestic Work Sector

·       Irregular Migrants and Precarity in the Dutch Food Delivery Sector