Migrante Netherlands strongly condemned the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service) for deciding that the Amsterdam-based company Saints & Stars Gym did not commit exploitation in the case of 11 Filipino workers who were deceived, abused, and victimized by human trafficking.

According to the group, this decision is infuriating and disappointing. The workers are clearly victims of human trafficking under international law, as well as under the Palermo Protocol and the Dutch Criminal Code (Article 273f).

The Filipino migrant victims were deceived and promised legal papers and decent jobs in The Netherlands. Upon arrival, they were forced to work up to 12 hours a day without proper rest. They were crammed into cramped and inhumane housing. Many of them experienced threats, fear, physical abuse, and humiliation. They were denied basic rights and dignity guaranteed by Dutch labor laws and international human rights standards.

“To deny that these workers were trafficked and exploited is to deny the reality of how modern slavery operates, especially among Filipino migrant workers whose vulnerability is systematically weaponized by employers,” the group explained.

Ignoring the experiences and real conditions of Filipino migrants sends a dangerous message that migrants, especially those from poor countries like the Philippines, can be abused and exploited with impunity.

“We urge the Openbaar Ministerie to reconsider its position and take into account the testimonies, evidence, and power dynamics involved in cases of trafficking and labor abuse. The Netherlands cannot claim to uphold justice and human rights while turning a blind eye to the exploitation of migrant workers within its borders,” Migrante Netherlands said.