In Belgium, a minister suggests classifying drug traffickers as independent workers, enabling them to bear a share of the expenses for drug treatment programs.
In a bold move to combat drug trafficking, Belgian Federal Minister Éléonore Simonet has proposed a novel approach: making drug traffickers pay social security contributions, retroactively registering them as independent workers. This measure aims to impose a financial burden on traffickers, reflecting the income generated by their illegal activities, and disrupting the profitability of drug trafficking networks.
The proposal, which does not require changes to existing law, seeks to incorporate illicit gains into the legal social security system, acting as an economic punishment targeting the financial structures of organised crime. By doing so, Belgium aims to penalise traffickers not only through criminal prosecution but also through financial means that demand they contribute to social systems retroactively, reflecting their status as independent workers during the period of their illegal activities.
This approach is part of broader efforts in Europe to tackle the underlying structures and finances of drug trafficking networks more effectively. Minister Simonet suggests registering drug traffickers with Inasti, the institute managing social security for independent workers, by submitting traffic violation reports, police findings, and drug trafficking judgments.
The National Drug Commissioner supports this initiative, stating it has a preventive aspect. The commissioner believes the measure "busts the myth" that a criminal career is easy money, as drug traffickers would also lose their right to benefits like unemployment. Convicted drug traffickers, once registered as independent workers, would be required to pay back social security contributions, any taxes owed, and repay any fraudulent benefits.
This proposal comes at a time when fighting organised crime is a priority for the Belgian government. Police and magistrates' unions in Belgium regularly denounce the lack of resources. The government's strategy includes enhanced justice cooperation and financial investigations, emphasising financial disruption of criminal enterprises as a complementary tactic to traditional law enforcement.
Notably, Belgium is a major transit hub for drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, in Europe via the port of Antwerp. The proposal's retroactive registration could extend up to five years, as suggested by Minister Simonet. However, it's essential to note that this measure does not aim to legitimize or legalize drug trafficking.
As the details of the implementation are yet to be fully detailed, it remains to be seen how effectively this approach will combat drug trafficking in Belgium. Nonetheless, the concept aligns with recent global and European initiatives emphasising financial disruption of criminal enterprises as a crucial component of the fight against organised crime.
[1] European Union, "EU Action Plan against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: Third EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive," 2015. [2] Council of Europe, "Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)8 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism," 2016.
- In light of the European Union's Action Plan against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, as outlined in the Third EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive (2015), this proposal aligns with global initiatives that prioritize the financial disruption of criminal enterprises, such as drug trafficking networks, as a crucial component of the fight against organized crime.
- As the National Drug Commissioner's validation suggests, this proposal, which involves registering drug traffickers as independent workers under the Belgian social security system, also carries a preventive aspect, serving to deter potential criminals by demonstrating that a career in drug trafficking is not an easy path to considerable wealth, as they would forfeit benefits like unemployment and face financial penalties in the form of retroactive social security contributions and repayment of any fraudulent benefits.
