The investigation revealed that the Bulgarian women employed by this group are being exploited. Their wages are kept far below Belgian minimum standards if paid at all. The women’s working days are marked by long hours, very little time to rest, and threats and intimidation by the company’s owners. Moreover, through a network of Belgian and Bulgarian legal entities, the company’s owners seek to evade any kind of oversight and, ultimately, legal liability.
Moreover, it is argued that, while this type of service is very much desired by elderly people, and could have real benefits for all parties involved, a framework that guarantees both the legality and affordability of such services and the well-being of the caregivers, is currently lacking.
Award
In March 2019, Slavery of Care was nominated for the 'Belfius-persprijs' in the category 'Television press'. The Belfius Press Awards is a series of annual press awards from the Belgian bank Belfius for the best articles or series of articles, audiovisual reports and photos that were published or distributed in the media during the past year.
