Amsterdam – Nour El-Din Amrani

The Labor Inspectorate in Zaandam, a Dutch city near Amsterdam, has imposed fines totaling over €700,000 on two cleaning companies. The penalties were issued for employing foreign workers who lacked the required documentation and for paying cleaners in cash, in violation of contractual obligations and Dutch labor laws.
According to the Labor Inspectorate, the companies failed to produce necessary documentation for dozens of employees—specifically regarding payroll records, working hour logs, and monthly wage payment receipts.
During inspections at several hotels in Amsterdam and Zaandam, inspectors discovered bags containing cash; the companies had been paying workers in cash—a practice that is prohibited, particularly for low-income earners. This method is often used by companies seeking to evade taxes while simultaneously paying meager wages to workers in the cleaning sector.
Due to the companies' poor record-keeping, the Labor Inspectorate could not verify whether the workers had actually received the statutory minimum wage. Consequently, the Inspectorate fined both companies for failing to comply with labor laws and employment regulations. One company was fined €256,000, while the other was fined €235,000. An additional fine of up to €200,000 was imposed for employing foreign workers without permits—a practice that is unacceptable and violates labor laws. Furthermore, the Labor Inspectorate has seized the companies' funds pending payment of the fines and is continuing investigations into other hotels linked to the two companies. — Zaandam is a charming Dutch city near Amsterdam, renowned for its colorful traditional Dutch-style houses, beautiful canals, and the historic windmills of the Zaanse Schans area. The city blends authentic Dutch heritage with a tranquil atmosphere, making it a wonderful destination for strolling and photography.