THE Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands has assured 11 Filipino gym workers of its full support in their complaints against their employer due to harsh working conditions.
In a statement yesterday, the embassy said the complaint was filed against the gym Saint and Stars located in Amsterdam before the Netherlands’ Labor Authority.
Embassy officials met with six of the 11 Filipino cleaners last Friday, along with representatives of Migrante Netherlands, Pinay sa Holland, and the Defend Migrants and Refugees Campaign.
“They confirmed that they worked 17 hours daily at various gym branches from May to June 2025, and were made to sleep at the gym premises without bed and heating,” the embassy said.
It said the accountant of the gym was apprehended by Dutch authorities for suspected forgery of documents last July 24.
The embassy also said that the gym was not accredited by the Migrant Workers Office in Berlin nor by the Department of Migrant Workers in Manila.
“Currently, the 11 Filipino workers are being housed in a shelter in Amsterdam while the labor case is being heard. They are also being assisted by pro bono Dutch lawyers in the labor case and the planned filing of criminal charges against the owners and managers of the said company,” the embassy said.
“The Embassy has been in communication with the Filipino cleaners since early July when the case first arose. The Embassy is also in coordination with the Migrant Workers Affairs Office in Berlin in providing necessary assistance,” it added.
The embassy said the Indonesian co-workers of the Filipinos also filed a similar complaint against their employer.
The embassy said it is coordinating with Dutch authorities, particularly the Labor Authority, in monitoring the progress of the investigation and the cases filed.
“The Embassy will continue to liaise with and work with the Netherlands Labor Authority and other Dutch authorities, monitor the progress of the investigation, and ensure that the complaints are fully addressed and accountabilities fully responded to,” it added.
