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Netherlands labor exploitation reports rise in 2025
A new report by National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence against Children, Conny Rijken, indicates a rise in human trafficking and labor exploitation in the Netherlands. Total human trafficking reports reached 952 in 2025, up from 944 in 2024.
Labor exploitation specifically increased by 13 percent, with 401 reported cases in 2025. The growth is most pronounced in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors, where reports nearly tripled, and the hospitality sector, where they doubled. Victims in these sectors are frequently Polish, Romanian, and Spanish nationals. In hospitality, victims often originate from Bangladesh, Turkey, and Syria.
Despite the increase in reports, the report highlights a significant gap in criminal prosecution. While the Labor Inspection received 308 signals of human trafficking and launched 57 investigations, only ten cases reached the Public Prosecution Service, and only nine suspects stood trial last year. Rijken noted that perpetrators remain difficult to track and that current enforcement often relies on financial penalties that do not provide victims with full legal protection.
Entities
Conny Rijken · Labor Inspection · National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence against Children · Netherlands · Public Prosecution Service
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Labor exploitation reports increased by 13 percent, rising from 356 in 2024 to 401 in 2025. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · nos.nl · wiescirolnicze.pl · +2 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Reports of labor exploitation in the hospitality sector doubled. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · nos.nl · wiescirolnicze.pl · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Criminal prosecution for labor exploitation remains low despite increased reports. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · nos.nl · dagblad070.nl
- [● 5 SOURCES] Polish, Romanian, and Spanish nationals are frequently victims of labor exploitation. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · dagblad070.nl · nos.nl
- [● 4 SOURCES] Reports of domestic sexual exploitation increased by 16 percent in 2025. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · dagblad070.nl
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Labor Inspection received 308 signals of human trafficking last year, resulting in 57 investigations. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · dagblad070.nl
- [● 4 SOURCES] Human trafficking reports in the Netherlands increased to 952 in 2025 from 944 in 2024. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · dagblad070.nl
- [● 7 SOURCES] Reports of labor exploitation in the agriculture and horticulture sectors nearly tripled. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · nos.nl · wiescirolnicze.pl · +2 more