Government officials have raided a staffing agency suspected of labour exploitations in a city near Rotterdam. The name of the agency was not revealed but it has been reported that the firm trafficked in workers from the Philippines to work as sailors.

Prosecutors are saying that the workers were paid “far too little” as previous investigations had uncovered. The raid was part of a large-scale operation led by the National Police and the Social Affairs Labour Inspectorate.

The agency is based in the town of Sliedrecht and is suspected of forgery, smuggling and trafficking. It is believed that the firm forged applications for work and residence permits, enabling “dozens” of Filipinos to work in the country.

The workers were not paid overtime and did not follow compulsory training. Evidence has been seized and the investigation, which is to continue over the coming days, also involves working with authorities in the Philippines.