Rieu is Not Amused About The Fine For "Child Labor"

André Rieu is Not Amused About The Fine For "Child Labor"

André Rieu is not amused that his production company has received a huge fine for child labor. The violinist does not share the opinion of the labor inspection.

"The children had the time of their lives", Rieu told Shownieuws. "They even went to the Efteling” (Holland’s best entertainment park).

The fine was imposed for violations from 2015. During Rieu's traditional summer concert at the Maastricht Vrijthof square, the Romanian pan-flute virtuoso Gheorghe Zamfir and his music- and dance company performed as guests. Among the company was a group of young pan-flute players, under the age of 16.

The Dutch law has strict rules for children who perform "cultural work".  "It's a fine of 3,000 euros per child per night. So it's a big fine, which I have already paid. You can build a house for that amount of money. I'm trying to get that fine back now."

The orchestra leader never received a warning in advance.

"At the last concert someone from the labor inspection appeared and rebuked us at the same moment, which is very silly and absurd. But well, this is the way it goes in the Netherlands."

Thank you to Ineke for the article and translation