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Beringen –
“Aren’t you a little embarrassed? You work like a normal person, but you receive disability benefits, have no permits, pay no taxes and live at the expense of everyone.” The Hasselt criminal court was sharp on Tuesday for a Beringse illegal worker.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM
The 55-year-old Turk, who lives in Beringen, had set up a metals business between 2015 and 2022. He collected iron and then sold it at a recycling company. Over all those years, the man in his fifties filled his bank account with 82,000 euros. Only he didn’t say a word about it to the tax authorities. The suspect also had no authorization to collect such material.
The Beringen resident was also not careful with his other administration. The only thing that was in order was his disability benefits. “My back aches. That’s why I go to the specialist.” “Collecting iron and other metals is no problem for your back,” the judge noted scornfully.
Sad
The accused was given the full brunt. “You are performing an activity. If others do this, they have to arrange permits and pay taxes. None of this here and you are already receiving disability benefits.” The man pleaded guilty. “I’m very sad about it. Nobody wants to break their own windows.”
In the meantime, the suspect is at work. “To pay off my debts of 130,000 euros.” The man reaches that amount after the health insurance companies – 77,000 euros – reclaim their payments and continue to pay fines. “You are mainly sad because you have lost your money. Now if it was only a few times that you collected metals… It’s years. You wanted to have it both ways: work and receive disability benefits.”
The prosecutor found the man guilty of surreptitious work. “You benefit from society. What works in your favor is your clean criminal record and the fact that you are now working to pay the debts. I demand four months in prison and a 3,200 euro fine, which can be postponed.” Lawyer Jessie Appelen also asked for a suspended sentence for her client. “He did not know that registration was required for a trade. My client does not speak Dutch. In the meantime, he has been severely punished financially and the OCMW is managing his budget.”
Verdict on June 4.