oa Uitzendbureaus: gekleurde doorgeefluiken?

Abstract title

Non-Western immigrants have a vulnerable position in the Dutch labour market. Discrimination may play a possible role in this position. Non-Western immigrants often find jobs through staffing agencies. This study therefore examined, with the use of situation tests, whether staffing agencies contribute to discrimination. We have tested if consultants from staffing agencies are willing to comply with discriminatory requests from fictitious customers (employers). To test this, the researchers called 187 staffing agencies pretending to be employers looking for employees. The fictitious employers requested the consultant to select employees, but demanded that the consultant would exclude candidates of a particular ethnic background. The consultants’ responses were consequently awaited, reported and analysed. In addition, we examined factors that made a possible difference in the amount of consultants that was willing to comply. Over 75% of the consultants were willing to comply with the discriminatory request, thereby undermining Dutch law.