Arrests at Amsterdam street market in people smuggling inquiry

Police have arrested three people at Amsterdam’s Albert Cuyp market during an investigation into the employment of illegal workers.

The Telegraaf reported that labour inspectors were investigating reports that workers from India had been hired by a company responsible for erecting and dismantling the stalls on the street market.

The authorities said they had received tip-offs about potential people smuggling and black-market transactions at the market in the De Pijp district.

The inspectorate confirmed that three workers had been arrested at the market early on Monday morning and handed over to the immigration police. A fourth man was questioned who was still waiting for a decision on his residential permit.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the company could be fined or suspended from operating at the market. “But we can’t say that yet: it depends how serious the breaches turn out to be,” said a spokesman for the inspectorate.