Led by the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions-Migrant branch (FNV), more than 1,000 people joined the protest in The Hague on September 7 to oppose the “Asiwelwet” or Emergency Asylum Measures Act. Bayan Europe, Pinay sa Holland-Gabriela, and Migrante Netherlands participated in the protest. According to FNV, more than 100 organizations joined the activity.

On July 3, representatives from the lower house of the country filed the proposed Asylum Emergency Measures Act and Two-Systems Act. The bill criminalizes living in the Netherlands without legal documents.

Research shows that criminalizing migrants results in abuse, exploitation, lower wages, and more dangerous conditions in the workplace.

“This law makes undocumented migrants outlaws. They are being criminalised simply because they are here. That is unacceptable,” FNV director Herrie Hoogenboon said.

“Think of the abuses at the gym Saints and Stars, where people have been exploited for years. If this law goes ahead, that kind of abuse will become the norm,” Hoogenboon added.

Lynette, a representative of Filipino migrants, called on the Philippine government to support the victims of abuse and exploitation by Saints and Stars Gym.

“We call on the Philippine Embassy in The Hague to proactively extend support and legal assistance to all Filipino migrants in the Netherlands, especially those who are undocumented and will be directly affected by this proposed law. We also call on all Dutch citizens, allies, and supporters to stand in solidarity to uphold the rights and dignity of migrants. Migrants, regardless of their legal status, must not be abandoned or left to fend for themselves in the face of intensifying criminalization and exclusion,” Migrante Netherlands appealed.