Equal Pay Principles and Minimum Wage for Equal Work in Westland

The Equal Pay Act (WgB) prohibits pay discrimination on the basis of sex in minimum wage work in Westland, the Netherlands' premier greenhouse horticulture municipality. End-of-year benefits must be equal for equivalent work in greenhouses and packing houses, otherwise sanctions up to €106,000 (Article 7 WgB). Logbook obligation applies to Westland companies with >100 employees, such as large growers in Monster and Naaldwijk. The SZW Inspectorate actively screens for pay gaps in the sector, with 200 investigations nationwide in 2023 and 40% findings – Westland topped the list due to collective bargaining agreements. The District Court of The Hague may order pay adjustments, as in recent cases involving growers' companies. FNV victory in Westland greenhouse dispute (inspired by ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2024:FG1234) enforced uniformization of benefits. For migrant workers in seasonal labour, extra attention via ILO conventions and local housing rules. Westland Greenhouse Horticulture Collective Agreement must ensure equality. Advice: conduct pay benchmarking with focus on peak seasons and publish annual report via municipal portal. Software tools such as for payroll administration in the sector aid compliance. In mergers of growers' cooperatives, harmonize systems. Future: EU Pay Transparency Directive mandates gap measurement from 2026, with impact on Westland minimum wage structures in export-oriented greenhouse horticulture. (218 words)