The Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (FNV) accused Trucksbanden Koning (TBK) of underpaying the drivers, forcing them to live in their trucks for extended periods, and failing to provide basic amenities like regular showers.
According to the FNV, around fifty Filipino drivers were affected. The union alleges the drivers were significantly underpaid, receiving salaries far below those the Dutch collective bargaining agreement mandated.
They also claim the drivers were only provided the opportunity to shower once a week and, in some cases, forced to live in their truck cabins for up to 18 months.
The FNV estimates that the unpaid wages owed to the drivers amount to between €600,000 and €800,000.
The union previously secured a court order requiring TBK to comply with the collective agreement and provide proper employee information. When the company failed to comply, they faced an initial penalty of €50,000.
According to RTV OOST, TBK vehemently denies the allegations, claiming that media reports about the case are “99% incorrect”.
During the recent court hearing, the company’s owners stated that negative publicity had destroyed their business and they are on the verge of bankruptcy, making it impossible to pay the fines or owed wages.
The court, however, sided with the FNV, according to the Dutch press. The new ruling imposes a daily fine of €2,500 on TBK for continued non-compliance with the collective agreement, capped at a total of €200,000.
FNV expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision but acknowledged the challenge of collecting the owed wages.
“We are going to investigate how we can collect the money, because we do not expect them to pay it themselves,” FNV representative Richard Vervoorn told the press.