Recommendations following the Anderlecht social welfare scandal

The parliamentary working group established in response to the abuses at the Anderlecht Public Centre for Social Welfare (OCMW) has concluded its investigation and put forward a robust set of recommendations. “These proposals are meant to pave the way for a fairer system of social assistance. Support must go to those who truly need it. But there must also be strong oversight to prevent abuse of scarce public funds,” says Member of Parliament and group rapporteur Wouter Raskin.

Judicial investigation

Several recommendations stand out. The working group urges the federal government to join the judicial investigation into the Anderlecht OCMW as a civil party. “The OCMW defrauded the federal government,” Raskin states. “It should be held accountable and repay every cent. We’re also calling for an assessment of whether the OCMW should be placed under administrative supervision, because it’s clear the entire organisation is rotten to the core.”

Strengthening oversight

The proposals go beyond the case of Anderlecht. Structural reforms are also on the table. “We want to boost the enforcement capacity of the Federal Public Service for Social Integration so it can proactively detect, address, and penalise fraud,” Raskin explains. The working group also calls for greater transparency and stronger cooperation between social welfare centres and labour prosecutors.