Migrante Netherlands is deeply outraged by the ongoing eviction of Filipino workers, who filed a human trafficking complaint against Saints & Stars Gym, from their current housing and the withdrawal of essential benefits they have been receiving directly following the recent decision of the Openbaar Ministerie (OM) declaring that there was no labor exploitation in their case.
It is crucial to remind the public what these workers have actually endured. They were brought to the Netherlands under false promises, and subjected to exploitative working hours sometimes reaching up to 17 hours per day. They were denied fair wages and made to live in cramped conditions. Their passports were confiscated and their mobility was restricted by their employers: these are all classic indicators of human trafficking and labor exploitation under Dutch and international standards. That the OM has dismissed these documented experiences as “not exploitation” is both deeply troubling and a dangerous step backward in the fight against trafficking.
These consequences are unjust and deeply alarming. What is happening to these workers sends a chilling message to all migrant victims and potential victims of human trafficking and labor exploitation in the Netherlands: that coming forward to report abuse may lead to losing one’s shelter, financial support, and security, and even facing deportation.
For the 11 Filipino workers in this case, filing a complaint required extraordinary courage. Doing so meant reliving the trauma of being abused, exploited, and later discarded by their Dutch employers. Instead of being protected, they are now being further punished. This is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of justice and victim protection.
We urgently call on the Philippine Embassy in The Hague to act immediately. The embassy must ensure that the workers receive adequate support (legal, psychosocial, and material), and must prioritize their protection rather than facilitate steps that lead to their automatic deportation. The Filipino community expects and demands that the embassy uphold its responsibility to defend the welfare and rights of Filipino nationals abroad.
We also call on the Dutch public, migrant rights advocates, and the Filipino community in the Netherlands to stand with the workers in their ongoing struggle for justice against Saints & Stars.
Please support the workers by contributing to their legal defense fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/saints-stars-cleaners-relief-fund) and by amplifying their call for justice, accountability and humane treatment.
Justice for the workers of Saints & Stars!
Protect migrant workers!
Protection, not deportation!
