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

The Inspectorate SZW strictly enforces minimum wage in Delft, including end-of-year payments for local companies in the technical sector and hospitality. Violations lead to fines of €2,000 to €12,000 per employee, doubled in case of recidivism (Obstruction of Performance Act). Priority on vulnerable sectors such as cleaning around TU Delft and agriculture in the surrounding polders. In 2023, 150 fines were imposed in the Delft region, with a total of €750,000 in sanctions. Delft companies first receive a warning, followed by on-the-spot fines during inspections at the university campus or city centre. Employees can report anonymously via the national reporting line, with extra attention for international students and expats. The Public Prosecution Service pursues criminal proceedings in cases of intent. Administrative procedures take an average of 6 months; appeal to the CBb. Example: a Delft tech startup paid €100,000 after underpaying junior engineers. Advice: conduct internal audits at TU Delft spin-offs and train payroll administrators. Digitalisation via eHerkenning simplifies reporting for local entrepreneurs. For international employees, additional rules apply under the Act to Combat Bogus Self-Employment. UWV recovers arrears of wages within 5 years. Trends: AI tools for wage checks by the government, tested in Delft pilots. Delft entrepreneurs: invest in compliance to prevent reputational damage with the municipality and university. Legal assistance via FNV or VNO-NCW regional office recommended. (218 words)