In June 2025, Erasmus University published findings from a year-long undercover study of temporary employment agencies in the Netherlands. Criminologist Ruben Timmerman worked through five employment agencies in construction, logistics, and food processing, documenting his experiences in his PhD dissertation.
Research Method
Timmerman's research involved working as a temporary agency worker while documenting his experiences. This participant-observation method allowed him to observe agency practices from the perspective of workers. The research was conducted over one year and involved five different agencies.
The dissertation, titled "By invisible hands: Work, exploitation, and the migrant division of labour," examined how responsibility for workers is divided between agencies and client companies in ways that can leave workers without clear protection.
Key Findings
Timmerman documented several patterns in his research:
Pay concerns: Workers frequently discussed whether they had been paid correctly. Timmerman observed that "every Monday, the topic of conversation was: who has been paid?" Payslips often did not match hours actually worked, with overtime hours missing and unexplained deductions.
Responsibility gaps: Timmerman found that agencies and client companies often shifted responsibility for worker welfare to each other. When everyone is responsible, no one is fully accountable.
Worker vulnerability: The research estimated that approximately 950,000 migrant workers were active in the Netherlands, many of whom were in precarious situations with limited job security.
Academic Significance
Timmerman's research is significant as one of the few academic studies to use participant-observation methods to examine temporary agency work in Europe. The findings provide qualitative evidence that complements statistical data from official sources.
The research has been cited in policy discussions about temporary employment regulation in the Netherlands. However, as with all qualitative research, the findings represent specific experiences and may not be generalizable to all temporary workers or agencies.
