Temporary Workers, Permanent Dependence? The Local Battle over Migrant Labour in the Dutch Agri-Food Sector

Over the past decades, the dire working and living conditions of predominantly EU mobile workers has repeatedly raised concerns in the Netherlands. This report examines the working and living conditions of EU‑mobile migrant workers in the agri‑food sector of Greenport Venlo in North Limburg, the Netherlands. Drawing on academic literature, 35 respondents in 24 in‑depth interviews, 25 complaint files from the Juridisch Loket, a week long field observations and follow-up shorter visits, local policy analysis, the study explores how employers, migrant workers, state actors, and non‑state actors frame and shape the local governance of migrant labour conditions.

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How to cite:  de Lange T., van Meeteren M., Naaktgeboren S. (2026). Temporary Workers, Permanent Dependence?
The Local Battle over Migrant Labour in the Dutch Agri-Food Sector DignityFIRM. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.18834576