nrc.nl
Thousands of Non-EU migrants illegally working in the Netherlands via RNI registry
The Dutch Labor Inspectorate's report reveals thousands of non-EU migrants are illegally working in the Netherlands by exploiting the 'Registration of Non-Residents' (RNI) system to obtain a Citizen Service Number (BSN), enabling access to work, bank accounts, and healthcare.
- How are migrants exploiting the RNI system, and what specific examples illustrate this?
- Migrants use various methods, including registering on tourist visas or using false European identity papers. One case involved a woman who helped transport and register over 6,500 Brazilian migrants, facilitating illegal work. Another investigation revealed a cleaning company using hundreds of Georgians with false papers, placed through agencies in several hotels.
- What actions are being taken to address the RNI system's misuse, and what are the potential future implications?
- Following a parliamentary motion, the Ministry of the Interior is investigating whether to stop issuing BSNs to migrants without residency permits via the RNI. Stopping the issuance could significantly curb illegal employment, but may also impact legitimate access to services for certain non-resident groups.
- What is the extent of illegal work enabled by the RNI system in the Netherlands, and what are its immediate consequences?
- The Dutch Labor Inspectorate found thousands of verifiable cases of non-EU migrants misusing the RNI system to obtain BSNs and work illegally. The actual number is likely far higher. This leads to illegal employment, worker exploitation, and poor working conditions.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue as a widespread problem of abuse by migrants, focusing on the number of cases and the methods used. The headline and opening sentences immediately establish a negative tone, emphasizing the illegality and scale of the misuse. This framing might lead readers to view migrants primarily as lawbreakers, overshadowing other potential aspects of the situation, such as the systemic issues that may facilitate this abuse. The repeated emphasis on the illegal actions of migrants might also contribute to a biased perception.
Language Bias
The article uses strong and potentially loaded language, such as "misbruik" (abuse), "illegaal" (illegal), and "valse" (false). These terms carry negative connotations and contribute to a biased depiction of migrants' actions. The phrasing "schijn van legaliteit" (appearance of legality) suggests deception and underscores the negative nature of migrants' actions. More neutral alternatives could be "non-compliance", "unauthorized", "incorrect", and "irregularities". The repeated use of terms like "illegale arbeid" (illegal work) reinforces the negative framing.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the misuse of the RNI system and the actions of migrants, but lacks sufficient context on the motivations behind the actions, the systemic weaknesses that facilitate the abuse, or potential solutions beyond stricter enforcement. The perspectives of migrants or organizations that assist them are absent. While space limitations are a factor, the omission of these elements might lead readers to incomplete conclusions and an unbalanced understanding of the broader context.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by focusing solely on the illegal actions of migrants, neglecting potential systemic failures or the lack of alternative pathways for migrants to access essential services. It implicitly presents a choice between completely stopping the provision of BSNs and allowing ongoing abuse, ignoring other potential solutions or refinements.
Gender Bias
The article doesn't explicitly show gender bias in the description of the events, though the examples used (a woman smuggling Brazilians and Georgian men working in hotels) might not represent a complete picture of the gender distribution among those involved in the RNI abuse.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the misuse of a registration system by undocumented migrants to gain illegal employment in the Netherlands, leading to exploitation, poor working conditions, and undermining fair labor practices. This directly impacts SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating an unfair competitive advantage for employers who exploit undocumented workers and by hindering the creation of decent work for all. The scale of the problem, with thousands of documented cases and likely many more undocumented, significantly undermines efforts to achieve decent work and economic growth for all.