This Monday, Prince Laurent, represented by his lawyer, appears before the labor court to have his right to social security determined. Although receiving an annual grant of 388,000 euros, Prince Laurent claims his subjection to this social right.
Even if he receives an annual grant of 388,000 euros, Prince Laurent demands access to social security before the labor court, and affirms that the financial question is not at the heart of his approach.
“During my hospitalization, I was asked to leave quickly, because my insurance did not cover all the costs”he explains. “We are the only Belgians not to have access to it (editor’s note: to social security)”
For the prince’s lawyer, Olivier Rijckaert, the situation is clear: “From the moment a self-employed person declares self-employed professional income for tax purposes, there is automatic liability to self-employed social security.”
He adds that Prince Laurent, considered for tax purposes as an independent worker, carries out a paid activity which justifies his inclusion in this system.
Despite his annual allocation, Olivier Rijckaert emphasizes that using private insurance would be neither fair nor consistent with the Belgian system. “The prince’s endowment corresponds to the income of a senior executive. It’s not millions. In Belgium, social security is a right open to anyone exercising a professional activity, including Prince Laurent.”
His schedule is impressive
The lawyer also wanted to recall the importance of the work accomplished by Prince Laurent. Each year, he participates in approximately 93 missions, official visits and meetings, representing the royal family across the country.
“His schedule is impressive, with two to three performances per week, requiring preparation and travel,” he explains. The prince also has an office at the palace where he carries out his tasks. These elements, according to his lawyer, contradict any idea according to which he would not work in the usual way: “To say that he does not work is surreal.”
A conditional grant
The issue also goes beyond the simple question of professional activity. Olivier Rijckaert explains that Prince Laurent’s endowment, granted in return for his functions, is not guaranteed.
It could be removed in two cases: if the prince renounces his role within the monarchy to launch his own career or if the legislator decides to reduce or eliminate this support, as has already happened in the past.
Currently, neither Prince Laurent, nor his wife, nor his children benefit from social security. They therefore do not have access to benefits such as family allowances, health insurance or even a future pension. The prince considers this situation an injustice and has decided to initiate legal proceedings against Inasti and the UCM.
Prince Laurent social security court social security for the self-employed labor court royal endowment Belgian royal family Belgian monarchy
