City of Antwerp and non-profit association Payoke ask Minister Crevits for money to support human trafficking | Antwerp
The Antwerp city council and non-profit organization Payoke sound Flemish Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits (CD&V) for the second time to take responsibility for the victims of human trafficking at the Borealis site in Beveren. As on August 26, the city sends a letter asking for help. They ask for money to catch.
We write August 26. Flemish Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits (CD&V) receives a cry for help in the letterbox about the reception of victims of human trafficking at the Borealis site in Beveren. In July, it was revealed that dozens of workers from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Turkey and Ukraine were working there illegally. Senders of the letter: the city of Antwerp and non-profit association Payoke, the Antwerp center in Flanders for the guidance and shelter of the victims.
Disproportionate pressure
More than a month later, the city and Payoke have still not received a response from Minister Crevits. And that, according to them, the inclusion of human trafficking is a clear concordance, and therefore lies with her. “The advantage of housing such amounts of human trafficking puts disproportionate pressure on the city of Antwerp and the non-profit association Payoke. In addition, the file relates to a problem of human trafficking that is situated outside the territory.”
More than three months after the raid on the construction site, steeds of human trafficking still report to the labor inspectorate. 243, according to the latest figures. “Currently, 143 documents of human trafficking will be recognized by the labor prosecutor and dozens more can follow. Those people will be followed at the Payoke reception center.” The city can and also worry about the conditions in which people have to work, live and live, can still be read.
The city and Payoke are asking for extra resources from Minister Crevits to pay for the reception. Last month that was already about 310,000 euros per month, in the meantime it is still in the interim. Those who have not yet received shelter, including a large group of Turkish workers, are still staying in their boss’s apartments and have to leave that building on October 1. “The non-profit association Payoke has pre-financed the stay of the amounts for the period up to October 1, 2022 for an amount of approximately 160,000 euros.”
in default
“Ten slots want to express the college and the people who want to become about the fact that multi-migrants become victims of trade in Flanders, which was also confirmed by the labor audit,” the city concludes. “The supralocal government is responsible for knowing budgets”, lawyer Jan Buelens adds. He describes the. “If Payoke’s role can be fatal, they can be foreseen and help the job offer. Until now, the government has failed to act, we hope they will now take responsibility.”
The cabinet of Minister Crevits states that the letter from the city has not yet arrived. “But we will of course watch die. A meeting is also planned with Justice and Payoke next week.” The government points out that when a (potential) victim of human trafficking registers, the reception centre, such as Payoke, receives federal funds for this. “In addition, if provisions are used, illegal employment, … a residence status can be granted as victim trafficking. Anyone who receives such recognition also immediately receives a living wage. This living wage is intended to cover the costs of daily living. The principle is therefore that these people also pay for their housing from the living wage they receive. This is done via the OCWM of the place of residence.”
In view of the increase in the number of parties involved providing funds for Payoke, it is still a matter for the cabinet. “Extra people are being provided for the psychosocial support of the victims. Our brief about that will be sent soon. The grant decision is ready and will be signed. Starting next week, CAW Antwerp will be able to accommodate an additional 24 people who live in insecurity.”
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