The Dutch human trafficking rapporteur has said the Netherlands should start an investigation into the nail bar market, following reports that many of the women who work in them are being trafficked and exploited.

Despite indications of abuse, little is being done to investigate if there are problems, Herman Bolhar told broadcaster NOS following a documentary on the sector.

Government inspectors, local authorities and the police should take a more proactive approach because the victims of human trafficking rarely come forward themselves Bohar said.

The national police told NOS that they do not see the need for a major investigation into the nail bar sector. ‘We have to make choices when it comes to human trafficking and our hands are full,’ a spokesman said.

Some 9,000 nail bars are registered with the chambers of commerce, a rise of 3,000 on 2013.

In Spain, England and Belgium there is evidence that nail bars are being used to launder money and that many of the women who work there are being exploited, NOS said.