The number of social safety experts at the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn has been cut in half since 2019, from six to three. According to the ACV union and several members of the Flemish Parliament, this number is sufficient to handle more than 2,000 cases of aggression annually, support victims, review surveillance footage, and collaborate with law enforcement and the judicial system.
Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) disputes the figures and says there are more people than before working to analyze that footage.
Not enough staff at the Social Security Department
According to Flemish Member of Parliament An Christiaens (CD&V), the Social Security Department currently employs six inspectors, compared to three before the reorganization: two regional experts and one coordinator for all of Flanders.
Just like the ACV union, which has already pointed out the high workload, she, along with Vlaams Belang, wonders whether that number is sufficient – especially given that inspectors will soon be able to wear body cameras, which will likely result in even more footage to review.
“If you truly view safety as a priority, you also need to invest in the resources required to ensure it,” says Christiaens. “That means having enough staff to monitor compliance and focusing on prevention and enforcement.”
‘Not fewer, but more people’
However, Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) denies those figures. “It is absolutely not true that there are fewer people than before reviewing that footage; in fact, there are more,” the minister said. “There are many more people outside that team working on reviewing camera footage, and the number of inspectors has increased,” she added.
“The authorities, or clearance, to access those images lies with more people than just the Social Safety Department.” According to her, there is therefore no need to add more staff, especially since De Lijn is currently working hard to strengthen and staff the inspection team tasked with improving the safety of drivers and passengers. “We want public transportation that is high-quality and punctual, but also safe to use,” concluded the minister.
