Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg sign treaty to combat social fraud more efficiently
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have on Monday signed a treaty that focuses on combating cross-border social fraud and social dumping more efficiently. That announced the Benelux General Secretariat.
According to the Benelux, the new treaty facilitates joint inspections, speeds up the exchange of information and ensures closer cooperation in recovering unduly paid benefits. The text provides for simultaneous control actions in several countries for the same case and allows inspectors to participate as observers in inspections carried out by their neighbours.
Furthermore, the fight against the abuse of secondment and cross-border work is being strengthened. The so-called A1 forms, which determine in which country social security contributions must be paid, can also be examined more quickly. The agreement also strengthens cooperation on social security contributions, particularly in the recovery of unduly paid contributions or benefits. In addition to the fight against fraud, the agreement also provides for cooperation on checks on safety, health and working conditions.
"Social fraud undermines our welfare state, it is important to take tough action against companies that abuse the social security system,” stated Belgian minister for social fraud prevention Rob Beenders. “Social fraud does not stop at borders, and neither does our approach. With this Benelux treaty, we are going beyond existing European cooperation and strengthening our joint action, enabling the Benelux to serve as a test region for stricter controls within the EU and for greater cooperation with the European Labour Authority.”
“This continent is increasingly confronted with social fraud and social dumping,” added minister of social affairs and public health Frank Vandenbroucke, who signed the text on behalf of Belgium. “This Benelux treaty strengthens our ability to tackle these issues and significantly increases the likelihood of cross-border prosecution.”
The treaty will enter into force once the three Benelux countries have ratified it. Other countries may join.
Illustration © PHOTO BELPRESS
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