On the International Day against Trafficking in Persons Halle-Vilvoorde prosecutors and the prosecutor for offences against labour legislation are asking for vigilance against human trafficking. ‘There are still too many cases of human trafficking, as could be seen from the case involving a carwash in Hoeilaart that recently came to light,’ the prosecutor says.
During recent checks social inspectors discovered four victims of human trafficking who had been set to work in a carwash in Hoeilaart (Flemish Brabant). ‘Those involved worked 5 to 6 days a week in appalling conditions,’ says Natasha De Vylder of Halle-Vilvoorde labour legislation prosecutors. ‘They lived and slept in the car wash. There were no facilities. People had to go to the toilet in a bucket. Moreover, the place was dangerous for the people working there as there were exposed live electricity cables.’
The four victims worked an average of 11 hours per day and received a meagre daily wage of 55 to 60 euros. In May the carwash’s business manager was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and a fine of 32,000 euros. He also lost his civil and political rights for a period of five years.
International Day against Trafficking in Persons
Today is the International Day against Trafficking in Persons. To mark it, the Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor's office and labour prosecutors are asking people to be vigilant with regard to human trafficking. ‘If you see mattresses in a carwash, a garage or somewhere on a construction site, report it. You can do so via the multilingual website stophumantrafficking.be or via a new phone number: 078/055.800,’ says Natasha De Vylder.
Every year, an estimated 23,000 people become victims of human trafficking in Belgium.