Justice investigates human trafficking at Flemish BASF subcontractors

Legal authorities are investigating possible incidents of human trafficking among subcontractors of chemical group BASF in Belgium, the West Flanders labour auditorate confirmed on Thursday. A total of 53 undocumented Filipino workers were supposedly employed by the companies involved.

In the aftermath of a previous criminal investigatoin into similar facts at a Borealis construction site in Antwerp, a recruitment agency from Izegem (West Flanders province) allegedly tried to recruit workers from among the victims. The Filipino workers did not have work permits, but Transcend Jobs nevertheless arranged work for them through one of its clients. Through this company, nine people were subsequently seconded by a Limburg-based service voucher company to work as welders and pipe fitters for BASF in Antwerp.

The victims did not have work permits, but this was circumvented by using fake national register numbers.

Based on this information, an inspection was carried out by the inspection services in the second half of August. Another 44 Filipino workers were found at the yard in question. The victims did not have work permits, but this was apparently circumvented by using fake national register numbers.

The West Flanders labour auditorate opened an investigation into counts of human trafficking, illegal employment and undeclared work. The investigation focuses on the activities of Transcend Jobs and the people involved in that company. "It is now up to the investigating judge to bring out the truth", said labour auditor Filiep De Ketelaere. There are currently no arrests in the case.

(BRV)

 

© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About belganewsagency.eu

Belga News Agency delivers dependable, rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media. The information covers all sectors, from politics, economics and finance to social affairs, sports and culture, not to mention entertainment and lifestyle.

Every day, our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories, dozens of online information items, plus audio and video bulletins, all in both national languages. Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language.

For public institutions, businesses and various organisations that need reliable information, Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs.

Contact

Arduinkaai 29 1000 Brussels

www.belganewsagency.eu