Mayor Femke Halsema closed restaurants on Van Baerlestraat in Zuid and Weteringschans in central Amsterdam for three months after multiple alleged violations were found. The closure orders cited employees working substantially more hours than permitted, doing work outside that for which they were authorised, and being inadequately paid, alongside serious suspicions of labour exploitation.

The Netherlands Labour Authority and the Public Prosecution Service investigated suspected human trafficking, human smuggling and illegal employment. The prosecution service said earlier inspections and the criminal investigation had not brought a genuine change in the businesses’ operations, leaving a significant risk that the suspected conduct would continue. One report identified the businesses as Indian restaurants and said their owners were arrested in mid-September on suspicion of labour exploitation and human trafficking.