Labour inspectors found 23 under-aged delivery workers and a number of foreign nationals without proper papers during a crackdown on super-fast delivery services ahead of the weekend, the Telegraaf reported on Monday.

Inspectors visited 31 delivery centres in 11 cities and pulled 300 riders in for spot checks, resulting in a number of ‘hefty fines’ for the companies concerned, the paper said.

Of the 300 riders checked, 23 were under the age of 16, the minimum age to work for a delivery company, and the youngest was just 13.

The paper did not say how many foreign workers were found without the relevant permits but did point out that if they were involved in an accident they would not be insured.

“It is no wonder that they tend to drive off if something happens,” labour inspector Thomas van Dijk, who coordinated Friday’s campaign, told the paper. “This is not about getting at the riders. We are focusing on the platforms and restaurants which make a mess of things from time to time.”

The inspectors also found health and safety issues in several distribution centres, or dark stores. In some, shelving was not properly supported and in others, fire exits were blocked up.

Dutch News has asked the labour inspectorate for comment.

Last year, the labour inspectorate issued a damning report about meal and super fast delivery companies, saying they regularly break laws meant to protect their workers against injury and exploitation.