Social Affairs Minister Maggie De Block and the Secretary of State for the Fight against Social Fraud, Philippe De Backer, have asked the National Social Security Office, ONSS, to open an investigation into a potential case of wrongdoing at GIAL, the non-profit that runs internet technology for the City of Brussels. It emerged last week following an audit that a GIAL director had been paid up to 1,000 euros a day for 18 years as an independent consultant. The director’s contract has since been terminated, and the financial inspection service announced that it would also launch an investigation into the non-profit organization.
Mrs. De Block and Mr. De Backer noted that a member of management who works as an independent for the same employer is potentially violating the labour relations law. This law says independent consultants must organize their work autonomously, have many clients and bear their financial risks themselves.
The Brussels Times
