Migrant Groups Condem Dismissal Of Exploitation Case Of Filipino Cleaners Vs. Amsterdam Gym

AMSTERDAM—Migrante Netherlands, together with the Filipino migrant workers formerly employed at a luxury gym in Amsterdam have expressed outrage over the decision of the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office (Openbaar Ministerie - OM) stating that there was “no exploitation” in their case.

In a press conference on October 30, 2025, they denounced what they described as an “injustice” and “a dangerous precedent” for migrant workers in the Netherlands.

“The decision of the OM is an insult and an attack against the rights of workers in general, and in particular, to our kababayans formerly employed by Saints & Stars Gym,” said Garry Martinez of Migrante Europe.

The name of the luxury gym has been omitted in the decision of the OM dismissing the case of exploitation and human trafficking.

"During an inspection by the Labor Inspectorate in June, people were found who are not permitted to work in the Netherlands. The inspectorate also received reports of possible labor exploitation, a form of human trafficking in which workers are forced to perform work under duress, violence, threats, extortion, or deception," read the OM decision.

While it dismissed the human trafficking case, the OM said it will still investigate human smuggling and forgery against the luxury gym and the people behind it.

Migrante Europe said "what makes the situation even more insulting are the statements from Saints & Stars that make it seem like the workers fabricated their experiences."

In the report the gym indicated that they did not receive any complaint from the workers while they were employed in the gym.

“From the perspective of a victim, even if they wanted to complain every day, they were forced to remain silent because they knew what was at stake: they could lose their jobs, their salaries, and even their housing,” said Garry Martinez of Migrante Europe.

Meanwhile, Lynette Cruz, a former employee of the gym shared her frustration: “Saints & Stars can deny all they want, but they cannot erase what we went through. We did not receive proper night differential or overtime pay, and some of us were not paid at all.”

“Even if they paid us, it doesn’t mean they had the right to abuse us. They took our passports saying they would just make photocopies, but we only got them back after being fired. We had already submitted copies before being hired, so why take our passports in the first place?” asked Cruz.

Andrew, one of the workers, recounted during the press conference: “We were treated like slaves, with no respect for our rights as employees. We were not allowed to complain, and even small mistakes like missing a spot while cleaning a mirror would get us scolded. We couldn’t use our phones, and we weren’t allowed to rest. If they saw us resting, we’d be yelled at.”

He added: “We weren’t given protective gear while cleaning with strong chemical liquids. We worked even as construction continued in the building. One time, I worked from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. My supervisor pushed me into an elevator and my finger got caught in the doors. When I got sick and filed for a sick day, the next day I was dismissed. Where is the justice in that? I will not stop until justice is won.”

Aldo Gonzalez, coordinator of Migrante Netherlands said the workers were deceived under false promises of legal employment and proper documentation.

“The workers were made to believe they would have valid work permits, but instead they were subjected to 10–12-hour workdays with no breaks. Migrante Netherlands is working with the workers’ legal team to study all possible legal remedies, including appealing the OM’s decision,” Gonzalez said.

Migrante Netherlands and Migrante Europe vowed to continue supporting the affected workers and to raise the issue with Dutch labor and migration authorities, as well as international human rights bodies.

Cover image: Lynette Cruz (extreme right), a Filipina employed by the Amsterdam luxury gym, recounted the exploitation she experienced.