Things are bustling in Westland, both inside and outside the greenhouses that are so characteristic of this part of the Netherlands. The greenhouse industry is the pride of the region and ranks among the world's leading industries, but behind this success lies a growing tension. As growers grapple with rising costs and sustainability issues, migrant workers find themselves in a vulnerable position. How do growers themselves experience this? And what is it like for a migrant worker to work in this sector? The three-part series "Glasland" follows the lives of growers and newcomers to this world for a year.
© De Haaien / HUMAN
The pressure on Westland's greenhouse industry is growing
The Westland industry veterans epitomize the Dutch entrepreneurial spirit, where economic interests are paramount. The land is either fully developed or under maximum cultivation, while growers are constantly seeking expansion. Surrounding municipalities no longer want to bear the social consequences of a sector heavily dependent on labor migration. Increasingly, the question has been raised as to whether the costs of this sector still outweigh the economic benefits.
© De Haaien / HUMAN
The vulnerable life behind the greenhouses
Over the course of a year, Glasland follows the lives of various residents. Growers who have run their businesses for generations, but are wondering if they can continue. Migrants who work in the greenhouses are also featured: people who come to the Netherlands hoping for a better life, but are confronted with the harsh reality of low wages, insecure contracts, and housing that ends when the work stops.
© De Haaien / HUMAN
Episode 1: Laagseizoen (Low Season)
It's the off-season in Westland, and there's little work. Yet, that's exactly what Polish couple Dorota and Daniel are looking for, because work means a roof over their heads, and they can no longer stay at the homeless shelter for migrants. Recruiter Ecaterina is struggling to find Europeans willing to work in Westland for the wages offered. That's why she's also looking beyond the borders, approaching Moldovans with Romanian passports, for example. The De Bakker family has been tomato growers for generations. Bart, the eldest of the two brothers, wants to leave the family business. But finally breaking away isn't that easy.
© De Haaien / HUMAN
Episode 2: Hoogseizoen (High Season)
During peak season, labor is in high demand. Dorota and Daniel are now working in Brabant and have one dream: to attend their son's First Communion in Poland. But they don't have enough money to go and are trying to find new work in the Westland. Chrysanthemum growers Steef and Bart are building houses for migrant workers on their property, but that solution seems like a drop in the bucket.
© De Haaien / HUMAN
Episode 3: Naseizoen (Off season)
Nese, a Turkish woman, dreams of a better life and left her husband and child behind in Turkey to work in the Westland flower industry. When her husband joins her months later, things prove more complicated than anticipated. Dorota and Daniel can't find work and sleep in a tent somewhere in The Hague, afraid of being spotted by passersby. Bart wants to leave tomato farming permanently, but who will take his place? And grower Rob consciously chose not to work with migrant workers, but if he expands, can he do so without them?
Glasland is a co-production of De Haaien and HUMAN.
Glasland can be seen from December 21 at 8:20 PM on HUMAN on NPO Start.
