The report states that traffickers are further professionalising their operations and that trafficking chains are becoming increasingly complex. There is thus no other option than to equally professionalise the fight against them. The Centre builds its recommendations around three pillars: 1. Increase (trans-) national cooperation to disrupt trafficking chains; 2. raise the awareness of employers, labour inspectors and local authorities and 3. increase political support.
The report acknowledges the reality of ever more complex employment relationships, obscured through layers of subcontractors, recruitment agencies and bogus self-employment set up by end-use employers to avoid social responsibilities. Cases in sectors including construction, cleaning and textiles indicate that the main contractor or end-use employer often inevitably had to be aware of the exploitative working conditions e.g. by accepting unrealistically low offers or ignoring clear manifestations of exploitation on worksites. The Centre reiterates its support, together with many actors in the field, including trade unions, for the introduction of joint liability of the main contractor and subcontractors. All partners urge the Belgian government to finally adopt the legal changes necessary to combat trafficking throughout supply chains.
Good practices are highlighted in sectors where social partners have not awaited the legislative changes to undertake action. The Belgian meat processing industry is, for example, increasingly confronted with the phenomenon of bogus self-employment. Therefore unions and employers in the sector have signed a protocol establishing joint liability of employers and middlemen.
You can submit reports of abuse in the Belgian meat processing industry, also anonymously, to: vlees@horval.be
Report on the website of Centrum voor Gelijke Kansen en Racismebestrijding
ABVV – Horval campaign against exploitation and social dumping in meat processing.
ACV - Voeding en Diensten campaign on exploitation and social dumping in meat processing.
