A disclosure from EenVandaag shows that Dutch care agencies exploit foreign caregivers. These caregivers often work seven days a week, 24 hours a day. This is far more than what is stipulated in their contracts, thus violating Dutch law. Additionally, foreign caregivers are paid too little. Although Dutch care agencies claim high amounts through the personal healthcare budget (pgb), the caregivers earn less than the minimum wage. There is hardly any oversight of these practices, and inspections by care offices usually only occur after complaints. However, many caregivers are afraid to complain for fear of losing their jobs, which allows these abuses to go unnoticed. André den Exter, associate professor of Health Law at Erasmus School of Law, states in EenVandaag: "This is essentially a form of modern slavery."
You can choose between in-kind care or a pgb when you are entitled to care in the Netherlands. In the case of in-kind care, such as youth care or nursing home care, the caregiver or care institution is arranged through the health insurer or a care office. This differs from a personal budget, where the budget holder receives a sum of money and is responsible for finding a caregiver. EenVandaag writes that many budget holders looking for caregivers turn to agencies like Fener Zorg, Espo Zorg, or 24-uurs zorgloket. These agencies act as intermediaries and arrange a caregiver for the budget holder.
The personal healthcare budget
EenVandaag has documented the stories of two foreign caregivers. One of these caregivers is 29-year-old Ana, who received 900 euros monthly for her work. With some Dutch allowances, her total came to 1,700 euros, which is below the Dutch minimum wage, which is around 2,300 euros net per month for someone of her age. Meanwhile, the 24-uurs zorgloket received almost 5,000 euros a month from the clients Ana worked for. Care seekers opt for a pgb because they can reclaim their costs from the government, as the care is funded through the Long-Term Care Act. The 24-uurs zorgloket where Ana worked claims that the personal budget covers all expenses, meaning the caregiver ultimately costs the client nothing. However, officially, 24-hour care cannot be reimbursed through the personal budget, as this type of care does not exist on paper.
Den Exter states in EenVandaag: "It is very complexly arranged. There are many gaps in it, and you can manipulate it. The idea of a pgb, where the client can decide for themselves, is not wrong in itself, and there is nothing wrong with it as long as it remains within the family context. Being able to make your own choice is fine, but once commercial companies are allowed into that market, which is very attractive, it often misses the goal, and the risk of fraud arises."
A weak legal position for caregivers
The other foreign caregiver interviewed by EenVandaag is Bulgarian Diana. In 2021, she worked under dire conditions for the company Fener Zorg. Like Ana, she worked day and night and was paid below the minimum wage. Additionally, it turned out that she was not registered with the municipality, no social contributions were paid for her, and she was not insured for health costs. When Diana developed an eye disease, Fener Zorg sent her back to Bulgaria and required her to arrange and pay for her own replacement during her absence. Den Exter comments on the situations of Ana and Diana: "This is essentially a form of modern slavery. A vulnerable group of people who do not speak the language is completely unaware of their options. Forms of legal protection are totally unknown, and these companies actually take advantage of that."
Fear of reporting
Den Exter emphasizes that the labour inspectorate is responsible for oversight, but they depend on reports. "They need to receive signals," he tells EenVandaag. He indicates that the inspection must be alerted, which can be done by care offices, the caregiver, or others. Ana tells EenVandaag that many of her colleagues do not dare to report to their care agency that they are being treated poorly. According to her, the agencies often threaten to send them back to their home country. Den Exter understands that many foreign caregivers are afraid to make reports. He states in EenVandaag: "The dilemma for the caregivers is that as soon as they report that things are not quite right, the employer is effectively confronted. The company will close down, and they will have no job."
Minister promises stricter action
In EenVandaag, Minister Eddy van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment called the situation of foreign caregivers in the Netherlands a "sad situation" and emphasized that such practices do not belong in the Netherlands. He urges care employers to treat their staff decently and to respect the minimum wage and rest periods. Van Hijum promises to take stricter action against abuses and is currently working on regulations to address the exploitation of foreign caregivers. He encourages people to report abuses to the labour inspectorate and indicates that information points are being established where foreign caregivers can be informed about their rights and options for help.
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