Criminal gangs are not only bribing workers at the port of Antwerp to smuggle in drugs, but they are also responding to job postings on the port.
According to the Flemish newspapers De Morgen, these gangs are attempting to install their men in certain positions on the port, a piece of information that has been corroborated by trade unions, the most prominent of which being Cepa, the port's largest employers' organisation.
As a result, concerns have been raised concerning the stringency of the hiring process for key positions at the port, particularly when compared to customs officers or jail wardens.
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The latter are put through a thorough morality vetting process, whereas prospective port employees must merely present a certificate of good conduct, which only shows one's criminal record but none if the individual is a suspect in an ongoing investigation
As a result, a stricter recruiting procedure has been proposed, and while Cepa is not opposed to the notion, they would rather that already hired dockers act as prospective whistleblowers in the event of any questionable behaviour.
In any case, a solution must be found as pressure mounts on authorities to cope with the spike in drug violence in Antwerp, with Mayor Bart de Wever recently calling for a National Security Council meeting on the matter.
