“Accidents and Exploitation: The Plight of Bulgarian Migrant Workers in the Netherlands”

Lured by the promise of a better life in northern Europe, Bulgarian migrant workers in the Netherlands often face physical risk at work, insecurity and exploitation…

In April the following year, following surgery on his son’s arm, Kadir contacted a lawyer, inspectors were sent to the factory, and the factory was fined for unsafe working conditions.

But in terms of compensation for the injury, “things have not moved forward since”, Kadir told BIRN…

Multiple Bulgarian migrant workers in the Netherlands have told BIRN about workplace injuries, unfair treatment and job insecurity. Most used the word “exploitation” to describe their experiences having found work via employment agencies on construction sites, in slaughterhouses and distribution centres, or as cleaners or waiters…

In FairWork’s experience, migrant workers face the biggest risk of injury in the logistics industry, construction, meat processing, agriculture and horticulture…

FairWork advises migrant workers to be sceptical of promises about ‘free’ housing or transport, to keep written records of the recruitment process, and to sign a contract – in a language they understand – prior to actually leaving Bulgaria…

Workers also should not let their employers keep their ID or passport…