An investigative journalist from HLN and VTM Nieuws went working undercover at PostNL for weeks. He saw exploitation, undeclared work and even child labour. As a result of the investigation, the social inspectorate, police and customs raided the PostNL depots. Ten cases of social fraud were identified and the court sealed the depot in Wommelgem. Follow the case closely our file.
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PostNL Belgium wants to use the measure to tackle the illegal employment of minors at subcontractors. “As indicated in previous communication, such practices will not be tolerated,” said financial director Aad Steenbergen in the letter to the subcontractors. “PostNL Belgium is now going one step further in its policy. Even in legally permitted cases, we no longer want minors (being young people under the age of 18) to be used in the performance of a transport contract.”
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Research by VTM Nieuws and Het Laatste Nieuws has already shown several times that 13 and 14-year-olds are active at PostNL’s subcontractors. Stories show that subcontractors take their children with them during their working day and that young deliverers are even recruited from customers’ homes. “Our own children of delivery companies also fall under this ban,” Steenbergen continues. “To be clear, PostNL no longer accepts that minors – for whatever reason – ride along when delivery activities are performed.”
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In response to the undercoverreportage of VTM Nieuws and ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’, the court opened an investigation into child labor at PostNL in November 2021.
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View the full undercover report at PostNL here:
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