non-compete and penalty clause from Dutch payroll company

[NotAllThere]

...
Payroll Company is trying to reassure me that this is normal in Dutch employment contract and has never been invoked.

So tell them they won't mind removing it then.

Recruitment Agency is also telling me that ... I'm the only person that has raised the issue.

This is always a lie.

[Lance]

Recruitment Agency don't give diddly squat as all they want is their commission

FTFY

[NewStarter17]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience using Dutch payroll companies? I am being obliged by my recruiter to work with their recommended Dutch payroll company for an upcoming contract in Amsterdam.
The Payroll Company have provided a quite exhaustive and complex contract, including a non-compete clause and penalty of 25k Euros if found in breach of contract. This seems very excessive.
Payroll Company is trying to reassure me that this is normal in Dutch employment contract and has never been invoked.

So is this really a common practise?

Recruitment Agency is also telling me that there is nothing to worry about and I'm the only person that has raised the issue. They don't appear to want to get involved and assist.

Am a new starter to the world of contracting and certainly unfamiliar with Dutch contracts.