Personal profile
Research interests
Prof. Dr. Mijke Houwerzijl is a full professor of Labour Law at Tilburg University since 2011. She also held a chair by special appointment in Comparative and European Labour Law at the University of Groningen from 2010 - 2020. She studied law at the University of Amsterdam and worked for four years as a legal practioner, specialising in employment law, civil litigation and social security law. In 2005, she completed her doctorate on the background, content and implementation of the Posting of Workers Directive at Tilburg University. She is e.g. a member of the editorial board of a Dutch academic journal in labour law (TRA) and chair of the Dutch department of the International society for Labour and Social Security Law (ISLSSL).
She has written widely on Dutch and EU labour law and social security law, with an emphasis on issues concerning cross-border labour mobility in(to) the EU, including issues of monitoring & enforcement. She often participates in academic research projects and in commissioned research projects, e.g. by the European Commission, the ETUC, Instituut Gak, European or Dutch social partners in several sectors or other stakeholders. She is or has been involved inter alia in research on the 'economically dependent worker' (project leader: University of Hamburg), and on 'in-work poverty' (WorkYP; H2020 project, project leader: University of Luxembourg), legal aspects of online platform work in the Netherlands (funded by Instituut Gak); Arbeidsmigratiedatabank (project leader: Jan Cremers); FORMULA-project of University of Oslo (2009-2012), a report for the ETUC on letterbox-practices (2016-17) and an Erasmus+ project SENSE on the legal position of the international truck driver (2017-19) and studies for the European Commission and Eurofound on 'Legal aspects of posting of workers' and 'Liability in subcontracting processes' (2008 - 2012).
Current courses
Click here for my courses.
External positions
Advising employers in the government, police, or defense sectors on individual cases regarding proposed measures for exercising freedom of speech, association, assembly, or demonstration (Adviescommissie Grondrechten en Functie-uitoefening Ambtenaren (AGFA))
1 Jun 2025 → 1 Jun 2029
Independent advice on the ABU's strategy (SDG 8: decent work) and ABU members' social impact (SDG 10: contributing to an inclusive society) (Algemene Bond Uitzendondernemingen (ABU))
2 Oct 2023 → …
Advising the minister (adviescollege rechtspositie politieke ambtsdragers)
28 Apr 2022 → 28 Apr 2026
Mitglied des Kuratoriums (Institut fuer Arbeitsrecht und Arbeitsbeziehungen in der Europaeischen Union IAAEU)
29 May 2018 → 1 Mar 2027
Appeals Committee (Stichting Fair Produce, Raad van Advies)
1 Jan 2012 → 1 Jul 2025
Professor of European and Comparative Labour Law (Rijks Universiteit Groningen (RUG))
1 Oct 2010 → 31 Jan 2021
Editor, review articles (Tijdschrift Recht & Arbeid)
1 Apr 2006 → …
Keywords
- Labour Law
- Social Politics
- Social Security Law
- Labour
- Social Security Law, International
- Industrial/Labour Relations
- Working Conditions
- Labour Market
- Mobility Of Labour
- Working Conditions Creation
- Labour Issues
- Labour Market Policy
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Approaches and instruments to support and enforce compliance in temporary work agencies: Dialogues for peer learning and cross-border action
Houwerzijl, M., 1 May 2025, 53 p.Research output: Book/Report › Report
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Cao-afspraken over AI en AM: Een domein in ontwikkeling
Berntsen, L., Houwerzijl, M. & Polo, J. L., 1 Dec 2025, In: Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken. 41, 4, p. 557-581 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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Reconciliation of Work and Family Life. General Remarks/Related Provisions. Work-Life Balance (WLB) Directive (2019/1158)
Houwerzijl, M., 15 Nov 2025, EU Labour Law: A Commentary . Hiessl, C. (ed.). Alphen aan den Rijn: Wolters Kluwer, p. 1105-1110 and 1136-1162 31 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
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Strengthening the rights of posted third-country nationals in their EU member state of residence and employment
Houwerzijl, M. & van Gardingen, I., Feb 2025, In: Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research. 31, 1, p. 89-103 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Towards a coordinated approach to EU policies to ‘attract talent’ and ‘upgrade skills’
Houwerzijl, M., Aug 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) Employment, training and lifelong learning: Comparative perspectives. Mella Méndez, L., Fernández Martínez, S. & Torres García , B. (eds.). 1 ed. New York, London: Routledge, p. 23-34 12 p. (Routledge Research in Employment Relations).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Activities
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Internationale Levenbachdag – De rol van sociale partners bij de inzet van AI op het werk
Londoño Polo, J. (Speaker) & Houwerzijl, M. (Speaker)
2 Sept 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation › Scientific
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Regulating AI through collective bargaining: Insights from eight European countries
Londoño Polo, J. (Speaker), Berntsen, L. (Speaker) & Houwerzijl, M. (Speaker)
17 Jun 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation › Scientific
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Armoede op de werkvloer: Arbeidsrecht in tijden van inflatie, energiecrisis en onzekerheid
Houwerzijl, M. (Keynote speaker)
15 Dec 2022Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk › Scientific
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Recently approved Directive on adequate minimum wages (2020/0310 (COD), approved tekst by EP and Council of 21 September 2022)
Houwerzijl, M. (Invited speaker)
9 Dec 2022Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk › Scientific
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International Levenbach-day
Houwerzijl, M. (Organiser)
9 Dec 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference › Scientific
Projects
- 6 Finished
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Tackling the impersonality of algorithmic management: community-building strategies and social well-being on online labor platforms
Christiaens, T. (Principal Investigator), Vranjes, I. (Co-Investigator), Ciulli, F. (Co-Investigator) & Houwerzijl, M. (Contact)
1/09/23 → 1/09/25
Project: Research project
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Connecting Organizations
Bekker, S. (Researcher), Bomer, A. (Researcher), Borghouts, I. (Researcher), De Pietro, C. (Researcher), Dusarduijn, S. (Researcher), Elsweier, F. (Researcher), Essers, P. (Researcher), Garcia Anton, R. (Researcher), Gribnau, H. (Researcher), Gubbels, N. (Researcher), Hoogeveen, M. (Researcher), Houwerzijl, M. (Researcher), Kaufmann, W. (Researcher), Kemmeren, E. (Researcher), Lafarre, A. (Principal Investigator), Lejour, A. (Researcher), Li, J. (Researcher), Loth, M. (Researcher), Mc Cahery, J. (Researcher), Montebovi, S. (Researcher), Peters, C. (Researcher), Rombouts, B. (Researcher), Russo, R. (Researcher), Staats, G. (Researcher), Starink, B. (Researcher), Steegmans, M. (Researcher), Stevens, S. (Researcher), Stevens, T. (Researcher), Sumner, I. (Researcher), Tjong Tjin Tai, E. (Researcher), Tzankova, I. (Researcher), Verbruggen, P. (Researcher), Vermeulen, E. (Researcher), Westerhout, E. (Researcher), Weterings, W. (Researcher), Wibier, R. (Researcher), Xu, D. (Researcher), Zegveld, C. (Researcher), Zekić, N. (Researcher), van Gulijk, S. (Researcher), van Hout, D. (Researcher), van Hulten, M. (Researcher), van Kempen, T. (Researcher), van Kesteren, H. (Researcher), van Vijfeijken, I. (Researcher), Van der Elst, C. (Researcher), Van der Sangen, G. (Researcher), Öner, C. (Researcher), Kryla-Cudna, K. (Researcher), Mak, V. (Researcher), Smit, D. (Researcher), Op Heij, D. (Researcher), Onţanu, E. A. (Researcher), Salah, O. (Researcher), Wijntjens, L. (Researcher), van Norden, G.-J. (Researcher), Vereijken-van den Bosch, S. (Researcher), Fernandez de Aranguiz Chueca, A. (Researcher), Diamant, Y. (Researcher), Geiregat, S. (Researcher), van der Burgt, B. (Researcher), Hofman, A. (Researcher) & Groeneveld-Tijssens, N. (Researcher)
1/01/19 → 31/12/23
Project: Research project
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Crime and Criminal Justice in the Age of Globalization and Digitalization
Bekker, S. (Researcher), Borghouts, I. (Researcher), Bosma, A. (Researcher), Braakman, M. H. (Researcher), Groenhuijsen, M. (Researcher), Groenleer, M. (Researcher), Houwerzijl, M. (Researcher), Karsten, N. (Researcher), Kooijmans, T. (Researcher), Nelemans, M. (Researcher), Oosterom-Staples, H. (Researcher), Rijken, C. (Researcher), Spapens, A. (Researcher), Wilthagen, T. (Researcher), Zouridis, S. (Researcher), van Hout, D. (Researcher), van Noorloos, M. (Researcher), van Ostaaijen, J. (Researcher), van Waas, L. (Researcher), Ligthart, S. (Researcher), van Sliedregt, E. (Researcher), Quackelbeen, L. (Researcher), Bemelmans, J. (Principal Investigator), Jaspaert, E. (Researcher), Joyce, T. (Researcher), de Vocht, D. (Researcher), Jacobs, P. (Researcher) & Dejean de la Bâtie, A. (Researcher)
1/01/19 → 31/12/23
Project: Research project
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The Interconnectedness of International and National Social Law
Senden, L. A. J. (Researcher), Pennings, F. J. L. (Principal Investigator), Hendrickx, F. (Researcher), Houwerzijl, M. (Researcher) & Jacobs, A. (Researcher)
1/01/00 → 31/12/01
Project: Research project
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The Horizontal Penetration of Social Norms
Pennings, F. J. L. (Principal Investigator), Hendrickx, F. (Researcher), Wilthagen, T. (Researcher), Houwerzijl, M. (Researcher), Jacobs, A. (Researcher) & van Lent, C. M. E. P. (Researcher)
1/01/00 → 31/12/04
Project: Research project
Press/Media
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The living cost crisis and in-work poverty
4/10/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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In België zitten drie directeuren van PostNL vast op verdenking van onder meer mensenhandel. Ook in Nederland zijn misstanden in de pakkettenbranche.
1/04/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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