A court in Hasselt has convicted transport company Kumas Trans, based in Tessenderlo, in a social-dumping case involving Bulgarian truck drivers. Four company executives and four companies were convicted. The penalties include suspended prison sentences of up to six months, fines and the confiscation of approximately €1 million and three trucks.

(Staff: Belgium / Justice & Social Fraud)

A ruling on working conditions

The case concerned Bulgarian drivers who, according to the proceedings, worked under pay and employment conditions that did not comply with Belgian requirements. The court found that they should have been employed under Belgian contracts rather than the Bulgarian contracts used in the arrangement. The drivers were reportedly paid about €3.50 per hour.

Confiscations and penalties

In addition to suspended prison sentences and fines, the court ordered the confiscation of around €1 million and three trucks. The ruling concerns Kumas Trans, a transport company operating from Tessenderlo-Ham. The case highlights the legal consequences that can follow when employment arrangements are used to undercut applicable labour standards.

Calls for more roadside checks

Federal Minister for Combating Fraud Rob Beenders has said he wants at least 50% of roadside inspections to target foreign transport operators. The stated aim is to strengthen enforcement and discourage exploitation in the transport sector.

A cross-border case

Social dumping in international road transport can arise when workers are employed on terms from one country while their actual work is carried out mainly in another. In this case, the Belgian court concluded that Belgian employment contracts should have applied. The Belgian transport union BTB welcomed the ruling and described it as a warning to companies that use such practices.

What happens next

The judgment is an important step in the case, but its broader impact will depend on enforcement and on whether the announced inspection measures are implemented. The case also illustrates the importance of cooperation between national inspection services when alleged labour fraud crosses borders.