Belgium ejects thousands for social security abuse

The number of people being asked to leave Belgium is up over 900 on the previous year. The increase is the result of greater co-operation between local social services and the Immigration Department.

Some 965 EU nationals were asked to leave because they were placing too much of a burden on Belgium's social security system.

The Social Integration Service recently gained powers allowing it to alert the Immigration authorities, if European Union citizens receive the living wage or other financial benefits. If the Immigration Department judges that people are placing an excessive burden on our social provisions, it can withdraw permission for them to stay in Belgium. The figures were announced by Belgium's Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, the Flemish liberal Maggie De Block.