At 20 percent of the companies surveyed in the mushroom sector, the Inspectorate SZW violations were discovered. There were employees to work without a work permit, whether workers were underpaid. However, the Inspectorate concludes that the mushroom industry has improved in recent years.
Writes that the Inspectorate Social Affairs in a report on the approach of the so-called Second Intervention Mushrooms, which besides the Inspectorate also the Tax Administration, the UWV, the Social Insurance, police and municipalities were.
Underpaid, no work permit, tax evasion
Between 2011 and 2014, the Inspectorate carried out more than a hundred surveys in 187 companies, both growers and agencies. A fifth of the companies violated the labor laws. The inspection found 236 illegal workers, virtually all (228) from Bulgaria. Until January 1, 2014, an employer for Bulgarian workers were indeed have a work permit.
193 workers were underpaid, especially Bulgarians (63 per cent) and Poland (31 percent). A total of fines imposed previously by more than five million.
The Tax Department conducted research at the companies. This led to far to fines and additional tax assessments totaling 3.1 million euros. Some audits are still ongoing.
The approach began in 2007
Already in 2007, it was announced that mushroom growers often did not follow the rules. The Inspectorate of Social Affairs therefore decided to brightened the sector well. The first intervention team inspected between 2007 and 2010, nearly one hundred farms and eight employment agencies. Over a quarter was in when transgression, especially through illegal employment, underpayment and tax offenses. The 2010 report spoke of “abuses.”
Hallmark fair mushroom
Between 2011 and 2014 there was a successor to the investigation, and a second intervention team went to work. The goal was not only to monitor mushroom farms, but also to change their behavior. The industry had to regulate themselves, were therefore also suppliers, social partners and consumers concerned to exert pressure. There was a hallmark Fair Produce, which informed the consumer in the supermarket to be “fair champginons” bought.
The Inspectorate SZW now writes in the report that now 95 percent of the mushroom growers produce the Fair certificate and that they account for about 80 percent of total production. A study by the Tax Office also shows that companies with a label declaration and payment patterns show better than companies without the label.
“We are not there yet
The Inspectorate observes all in all the actions of the intervention team definitely contributed to a mushroom fair in the Netherlands. But: “It is clear that is not working fairly across the industry.” The Inspectorate of Social Affairs and Tax report why they continue to work together to monitor the sector.
- Posted in:
- Policies & amp; Management
- Staff & amp; Organization
- Read more about:
- labor laws
- mushroom
- Fair Produce
- Inspection Social Affairs
- Intervention mushrooms
- transgression
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