The fight against social dumping intensifies

 We have been seeing in our practice for some weeks now that the fight against social dumping, and especially within the framework of foreign secondment, has been sharply intensified.   In February, State Secretary John Crombez announced stricter controls in the construction sector, and he is keeping his word. A new “social dumping unit” was set up and it apparently has already hired 255 inspectors for the construction sector alone. The objective would appear to be to inspect around 2,700 construction sites during the course of 2014. In addition, another 1,500 inspections will be carried out in other sectors.   Not only are the (often foreign) contractors being targeted, but the inspection services like to make use of the means at their disposal in order to involve principals or general contractors, such as the prohibition on making personnel available and the joint and several liability for wages. Moreover, tough measures such as criminal-law seizures are not being shied away from.   You have been warned...