Otto Workforce is a Dutch temporary employment agency that specializes in placing workers from Central and Eastern Europe. The agency has been the subject of worker complaints documented on review platforms and in media investigations. This article examines the documented concerns and the legal context.
Review Platform Data
As of early 2026, Otto Workforce held a 1.5 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot based on over 700 reviews. Common themes in reviews include concerns about housing conditions, pay accuracy, and communication with agency staff. It is important to note that review platforms represent self-selected samples and may not be representative of all worker experiences.
Reviews have described housing situations including multiple workers sharing rooms and concerns about the quality of accommodation provided. Some reviewers have reported that housing costs were deducted from wages at rates they considered high relative to the quality provided.
Media Investigations
CorpWatch, a corporate accountability organization, published an investigation in 2024 documenting worker experiences with Otto Workforce. The investigation included interviews with workers who described concerns about housing conditions and pay practices. Otto Workforce responded to the investigation, stating that it was committed to improving worker conditions.
RTL Nieuws, a Dutch news organization, has also reported on concerns related to Otto Workforce and the broader temporary employment sector in the Netherlands.
The Kevin Victor Case
In October 2025, a Rotterdam court issued a ruling in a case involving a worker who had been housed by Otto Workforce. The worker, Kevin Victor from Sint Maarten, had been housed in an abandoned church with approximately 20 other workers. The court ruled that linking employment and housing contracts was illegal under Dutch law.
The court's ruling stated that the linkage created an unacceptable dependency that undermined workers' bargaining power. Advocate Joost van Woelderen, who represented Victor, stated that the ruling could have implications for other workers in similar situations.
Company Response
Otto Workforce CEO Frank van Gool has stated that the company is committed to improving worker conditions. In response to the court ruling, the company indicated that it would review its housing practices. The company has also stated that it is preparing for the new WTTA licensing requirements that will take effect in 2027.
