Latest news with #NetherlandsLaborAuthority
Filipino Times
6 days ago
- Filipino Times
11 Filipino Gym Workers in Netherlands File Labor Abuse Case Against Employer
Eleven Filipino workers of a fitness center in the Netherlands have lodged a complaint against their Dutch employer over alleged labor violations, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague confirmed. The Filipinos, employed as cleaners for the Saints and Stars gym in Amsterdam, filed the joint complaint along with Indonesian co-workers before the Netherlands Labor Authority, citing harsh working conditions. They are being assisted by pro bono Dutch lawyers in the case and in the planned filing of criminal charges against the company's owners and managers. According to the embassy, the workers sought assistance in July and were provided temporary shelter in Amsterdam. They reported being made to work up to 17 hours daily without beds or heating at various gym branches from May to June 2025. Due to privacy rules, the workers' names have not been disclosed, but the embassy assured they are in safe condition. Officials said the gym's accountant was arrested on July 24 for suspected document forgery. Saints and Stars is not accredited by the Department of Migrant Workers Affairs in Manila for hiring Filipinos abroad. The Philippine Embassy said it will continue coordinating with Dutch authorities to monitor the case, ensure complaints are addressed, and safeguard the welfare of Filipinos in the Netherlands.
GMA Network
7 days ago
- GMA Network
11 Pinoy gym workers in Netherlands file labor abuse case vs employer
Eleven Filipino workers of a fitness center in Netherlands have filed a case against their Dutch employer over alleged labor violations, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague said. The Filipinos, who were employed as cleaners for the Saints and Stars gym in Amsterdam, filed a joint complaint with their Indonesian co-workers before the Netherlands Labor Authority, citing harsh working conditions. "They are also being assisted by pro bono Dutch lawyers in said labor case, and in the planned filing of criminal charges against the owners and managers of the gym company," an embassy statement on Aug. 9 said. Philippine diplomats have been in touch with the victims since July when they sought their assistance, the embassy said. The Filipinos, who were provided temporary shelter in Amsterdam by the embassy, told Dutch and Philippine authorities that they were made to work 17 hours daily without beds and heating at the company's various gym branches from May to June 2025. Due to privacy regulations, the names of the Filipinos cannot be disclosed at this time, the embassy said, but assured that they are in safe condition. "The embassy asistance-to-nationals team are in constant communication with them while investigation against their former employer is being conducted," it said. On July 24, the accountant of the gym was arrested by Dutch authorities for suspected forgery of documents, the embassy said, adding the Saints and Stars is not among the list of accredited foreign agencies of the Department of Migrant Workers Affairs in Manila for Filipinos seeking work contracts abroad. Philippine officials in Netherlands assured it will "continue to liaise and work with the Netherlands Labour Authority and other Dutch authorities, monitor the progress of the investigation and filed cases, ensure that the complaints are fully addressed, and accountabilities responded to." "The Philippine embassy is committed to ensuring the welfare and protection of the rights of Filipinos in the Netherlands, and extends assistance to them regardless of status," it said. —KG, GMA Integrated News
