The Open VLD MP Marianne Verhaert has called for the full privatisation of the Belgian postal service bpost following a number scandals affecting the company.
“These abuses are symptomatic of a public power wearing too many hats," Verhaert, a Flemish liberal, stated in parliament.
An essential public service, bpost is currently a semi-public company, as 51% is owned by Belgian Government. According to Verhaert, this has "created a schizophrenic situation that has become untenable.”
She explained that as bpost’s main shareholder, the Belgian State "determines the rules and supervises this same company."
Bpost has been in turmoil for several months following revelations of misdeeds regarding their newspaper deliveries.
This led to an internal investigation over the services bpost offered to the Belgian Government for managing their state accounts, collecting traffic fines and issuing licence plates. Bpost revealed in the aftermath that they had in fact lied to the government over their profit margins.
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This week, it was also revealed on Wednesday that members of the Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter's cabinet had remained on bpost’s payroll, after having been previously employed by the company. As they had been part of the negotiations between the government and the company for a government contract, this represents a conflict of interest.
These issues have led Verhaert and her party to propose privatisation as a solution. "We should not sell the state’s stake overnight," the MP stated but only "when bpost is ready and when the market conditions are favourable.”
Bpost is one of the largest civilian employers in Belgium.
