Enforcement and Sanctions for Non-Compliance with Minimum Wage Rules in Zoetermeer

The SZW Inspectorate strictly enforces minimum wage in Zoetermeer, including end-of-year payments for local companies in the region. Violations lead to fines of €2,000 to €12,000 per employee, doubled in case of recidivism (Impediments Act). Priority in vulnerable sectors such as cleaning in Zoetermeer's office parks and logistics around the station. In 2023, 5,000 fines were imposed in South Holland, totaling €25 million, a significant portion in Zoetermeer and surrounding municipalities. Companies in the Binckhorst and around the Stadshart first receive a warning, followed by stop-and-check. Employees can report anonymously via the national hotline or locally at the Zoetermeer municipality. The Public Prosecution Service pursues criminal proceedings in serious cases involving intent. Administrative procedures take an average of 6 months; appeal to the CBb. Example: a logistics company in Zoetermeer paid €300,000 after underpaying 25 drivers. Advice: conduct internal audits at your Zoetermeer branch and train payroll administrators on local collective labour agreements. Digitalisation via eHerkenning simplifies reporting to the Inspectorate. For international workers in the tech sector, rules from the Act to Combat False Self-Employment apply. UWV recovers arrears of wages within 5 years, with support from regional labour inspectors. Trends: AI tools for wage checks by the government, tested in Zoetermeer pilots. Entrepreneurs: invest in compliance to prevent reputational damage in the local community. Legal assistance via FNV Zoetermeer or VNO-NCW regional office recommended. (218 words)