The Minister for the Middle Classes, Self-employed and SMEs, Eléonore Simonet, has decided to take financial measures against people carrying out illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, by automatically granting them self-employed social status. This mechanism, which complements standard judicial procedures, marks the end of impunity for these criminals.
In Belgium, some criminals, such as drug traffickers, too often escape the consequences of their illegal activities.
Although the police regularly make findings, for example in relation to drug trafficking, these do not always lead to judicial follow-up. This creates a sense of impunity that undermines citizens' safety and trust.
The Minister wants to address this situation within her powers. It should be recalled that the fight against drug trafficking is a key point in the government agreement.
That is why she wants to make systematic the application of the existing procedure, which consists of taking financial measures against people carrying out illegal activities by automatically granting them self-employed social status through the National Institute for the Social Security of Self-employed Workers (INASTI).
This not only ensures they pay their (outstanding) social contributions, but also that they lose access to social benefits such as unemployment benefits (ONEM), child benefits, CPAS assistance, study grants or social housing.
For Minister Éléonore Simonet: “Impunity can never be an option. By forcing criminals to pay social contributions and stripping them of all social benefits, we ensure that no one escapes the consequences of their actions, acting as a complement to justice. With this approach, I hit criminals where it hurts: their wallet. We are making our society safer and firmly tackling the bad apples.”
The INASTI will therefore now systematically register as self-employed those generating income from criminal activities, such as drug trafficking.
The aim is twofold:
- Hit criminals financially by forcing them to contribute;
- Prevent them from unduly benefiting from social advantages.