Antwerp/PuursThe top men of parcel services PostNL (Rudy Van Rillaer) and GLS (Luc De Schryver) are in court on suspicion of social fraud. According to the Antwerp labor prosecutor, the way in which they employ subcontractors is not in accordance with social security legislation (NSSO). Violations of taxes or social security legislation have been established at 52 courier companies that work for PostNL or GLS. The sampling process will start on September 2 next year.
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The companies GLS and PostNL and 52 subcontractors are on trial for ‘structural social fraud’ at their parcel deliverers. According to the labor inspectorate, there are serious indications that these are bogus self-employed, who enjoy little social protection and as a result of which the ONSS also misses out on significant social contributions.
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An investigation by the Special Tax Inspectorate also showed that the courier companies evaded millions in taxes and VAT.
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The socialist trade union BTB and its Christian counterpart ACV Puls are civil parties in the proceedings. “The drivers who drive for PostNL and GLS have no representation in the company and therefore have no voice when discussing work pressure or safety issues,” according to the unions.
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Little autonomy
ACV Puls notes that the subcontractors have little autonomy. “The authority is exercised by the major courier companies. Normal independence is being eroded,” says counsel Roel Deseyn. The trade union organizations hope that the two companies will change their way of working.
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The unions are aiming for GLS and PostNL to adjust their operations and, as with bPost, to hire its couriers on a permanent basis.
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The financial chamber of the Antwerp court set an agenda this morning. The 52 fraud cases will be dealt with from September 2, 2022, at a rate of 16 cases per session. The lawyers may submit their conclusions to the court. “That can be done by regular mail or by e-mail,” the chairman of the financial chamber said with a joke.
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