Dutch municipalities uncover ghost residents and labor exploitation

During the Week Against Human Trafficking, inspections in several Dutch municipalities have uncovered significant evidence of labor exploitation and illegal housing practices. In Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, authorities discovered 191 ‘ghost residents’—individuals registered at ten addresses where they do not actually live. Additionally, nine residents were found living at addresses where they were not registered.

Inspectors reported substandard living conditions at these locations, including mold, blocked escape routes, and excessive rent. Similar findings occurred in neighboring municipalities: Papendrecht identified 23 unregistered residents across ten homes, Alblasserdam found seven unregistered individuals at eight addresses, and Sliedrecht identified five unregistered residents at six addresses.

In Vlaardingen, the municipality launched an awareness campaign titled ‘Sluit Mensenhandel Uit’ (Exclude Human Trafficking) to help residents and professionals recognize signs of exploitation, such as sexual exploitation or forced criminal activity. Training sessions were held for special enforcement officers (BOAs) and housing corporation employees to improve the detection and reporting of suspicious situations involving victims who may appear anxious or lack autonomy.