Staff at the secure asylum centre in the Flemish Brabant municipality of Steenokkerzeel are taking strike action after bedbugs were discovered in the centre’s staff room. A specialised firm has been called in to exterminate the bedbugs.
Staff at secure asylum centre in Flemish Brabant down tools due to bedbug infestation
Published:
The Immigration and Asylum Department’s Geert De Vulder told VRT News that bedbugs have been an issue at asylum centre 127bis in Steenokkerzeel for some time. However, “Last night a suspected infestation of bedbugs came to light in the centre’s staff room. Staff at the centre have stopped work. However, a minimum service will be provided for the duration of the strike”.
The Mayor of Steenokkerzeel Kurt Ryon (local list – Flemish nationalist) told VRT News that “This means that all exit and entry posts are being guarded and food is also being distributed. The sleeping quarters are not accessible at the moment so the residents are obliged to sleep in the living quarters. The police are also on standby to offer assistance if necessary”. It is not yet clear when staff at the centre will return to work.
Geert De Vulder told VRT News that “We had already drawn up a plan of action to eliminate bedbugs in the residents‘rooms. A specialised firm has been called in to implement this. We are now going to see how we can incorporate the staff room into our plan.”